Judith Acosta

Judith Acosta, LISW, Cht, is a licensed psychotherapist, hypnotherapist and crisis counselor, as well as a classically trained homeopath. She is the author of The Next Osama and the co-author of The Worst is Over (Jodere, 2002), hailed as the "Bible of Crisis Communications" and Verbal First Aid (Penguin, 2010). She has written countless articles on the cultural and psychological effects of viral fear, culture and the media, Verbal First Aid, religion and mental health, trauma, and alternative medicine. She has had a regular column with the Journal of Emergency Medical Services on Verbal First Aid and communication strategies for use in the field, is a regular blogger on Huffington Post and a contributing author to Homeopathy Today.

Since 1994, she has trained paramedics, fire fighters, police officers and medical professionals in therapeutic communication and Verbal First Aid around the United States and has served with POPPA, a non-profit peer support organization for the New York City Police Department. She has also given seminars on animal-assisted therapy, trauma and burnout, stress reduction, and workplace risk/crisis management to corporations and private groups.

In private practice, she specializes in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression/grief, and performance. She is based in Placitas, NM with her husband and rescue dogs. She brings nearly 25 years of successful experience to clients all over the country and may be reached at www.wordsaremedicine.com or www.thenextosama.com.