Johanna O’Flaherty, Ph.D., NCACII, CEA, VP of Treatment, The Betty Ford Center
Dr. Johanna O’Flaherty is the Vice President, Treatment Services, at the Betty Ford Center. Johanna
began her association with the Center nearly 20 years ago, as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
counselor, referring airline employees who needed treatment for substance dependence. Dr. O’Flaherty’
s admiration of Mrs. Ford’s courage and vision began almost 30 years ago when Johanna began her
own personal healing journey.
Johanna has been a catalyst for healing through many traumatic situations. She sees her involvement in
the aftermath of disasters such as 9/11 in New York and TWA’s Flight 800 near Long Island as “life-
changing experiences—because I have been allowed to be there and help in a small way with people
who have experienced an earthquake of the soul.” As a Certified Trainer for Critical Incident Stress
Debriefing Programs, Johanna has developed and implemented Crisis Response Programs and
Teams for several airlines in many countries, as well as Critical Incident Response training for the FBI
and law enforcement officers. She served on a focus group with the Airline Transport Association to
develop industry guidelines for Crisis Response Teams, after 9/11, assisted with the counseling of
airline employees, and facilitated Crisis Response training for the New York City Transit Authority. Dr. O’
Flaherty conducts holistic workshops in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S.A, which are always
didactic, experiential, and inspirational.
For over 20 years, Johanna developed and managed Airline Employee Assistance Programs. She holds
a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, California. She is a Nationally
Certified Addiction Specialist (Advanced Level) and a Certified Employee Assistance Professional
(CEAP); she has been featured on ABC, NBC, MSNBC, and CNN. Johanna grew up in a large Irish family
and adores her many nieces and nephews. As a young woman, she adopted the U.S. as her home. She
has traveled the world and is grateful for her multicultural background.
Throughout her healing journey, Johanna made a commitment to be part of the solution by facilitating
healing from grief, trauma, and addiction. Although challenged by a hectic schedule, she practices a
spirituality of simplicity and compassion for self and others by being present in the moment. Her goal in
life is to stay centered spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
Dr. Johanna O’Flaherty is the Vice President, Treatment Services, at the Betty Ford Center. Johanna
began her association with the Center nearly 20 years ago, as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
counselor, referring airline employees who needed treatment for substance dependence. Dr. O’Flaherty’
s admiration of Mrs. Ford’s courage and vision began almost 30 years ago when Johanna began her
own personal healing journey.
Johanna has been a catalyst for healing through many traumatic situations. She sees her involvement in
the aftermath of disasters such as 9/11 in New York and TWA’s Flight 800 near Long Island as “life-
changing experiences—because I have been allowed to be there and help in a small way with people
who have experienced an earthquake of the soul.” As a Certified Trainer for Critical Incident Stress
Debriefing Programs, Johanna has developed and implemented Crisis Response Programs and
Teams for several airlines in many countries, as well as Critical Incident Response training for the FBI
and law enforcement officers. She served on a focus group with the Airline Transport Association to
develop industry guidelines for Crisis Response Teams, after 9/11, assisted with the counseling of
airline employees, and facilitated Crisis Response training for the New York City Transit Authority. Dr. O’
Flaherty conducts holistic workshops in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S.A, which are always
didactic, experiential, and inspirational.
For over 20 years, Johanna developed and managed Airline Employee Assistance Programs. She holds
a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, California. She is a Nationally
Certified Addiction Specialist (Advanced Level) and a Certified Employee Assistance Professional
(CEAP); she has been featured on ABC, NBC, MSNBC, and CNN. Johanna grew up in a large Irish family
and adores her many nieces and nephews. As a young woman, she adopted the U.S. as her home. She
has traveled the world and is grateful for her multicultural background.
Throughout her healing journey, Johanna made a commitment to be part of the solution by facilitating
healing from grief, trauma, and addiction. Although challenged by a hectic schedule, she practices a
spirituality of simplicity and compassion for self and others by being present in the moment. Her goal in
life is to stay centered spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
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The Betty Ford Center
Mission:
To provide effective alcohol and other drug dependency treatment services, including programs of
education and research to help women, men and families begin the process of recovery.
Mission:
To provide effective alcohol and other drug dependency treatment services, including programs of
education and research to help women, men and families begin the process of recovery.