A senior psychologist and behavioral health leader whose career has been defined by service to military and uniformed populations. As a former U.S. Army Captain, Dr. DeGroot served as a clinical psychologist at both Eisenhower Army Medical Center (Fort Gordon, Georgia) and Letterman Army Medical Center (Presidio, San Francisco, California). During these tours of duty, he provided direct psychological care to active-duty service members and their dependents, addressing a broad range of issues including operational stress, family adjustment, trauma recovery, and reintegration challenges.

In addition to his clinical duties, Dr. DeGroot supervised psychology practicum students, psychology interns, and child and adolescent psychiatry fellows, shaping the next generation of military mental health professionals through mentorship and evidence-based training. His service reflected a deep commitment to military readiness, the psychological well-being of the force, and the advancement of behavioral science within the Armed Forces.

Following his military service, Dr. DeGroot continued his mission of public service as a leader in correctional and forensic psychology, serving for many years as the State Director of Mental Health for the Georgia Department of Corrections. In this role, he oversaw large-scale mental health operations for high-security and transitional populations, including veterans within the correctional system, integrating trauma-informed care and crisis-intervention strategies.

A former President of the International Association of Correctional and Forensic Psychology, Dr. DeGroot has been a key contributor to national initiatives on suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and veteran reintegration. His lifelong focus has been on ensuring that those who serve—whether in the military or public safety—receive the highest standards of compassionate, evidence-based, and mission-ready psychological care.

Dr. Laipple is a board-certified psychiatrist and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel with a distinguished career spanning both military and civilian medicine. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point (Class of 1966), Dr. Laipple began his service as a Ranger-qualified, Airborne Artillery Officer, including a combat tour in South Vietnam. His early military experiences instilled in him a lifelong commitment to leadership, resilience, and the psychological well-being of service members.

In 1973, Dr. Laipple transferred to the United States Air Force, where he attended the Medical College of Georgia through military sponsorship. He went on to serve as both a Flight Surgeon and Psychiatrist, providing psychiatric care to airmen, pilots, and combat veterans throughout his service. His work included extensive experience in diagnosing and treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), combat-related trauma, and stress-related conditions across multiple operational environments.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1986 with the rank of Colonel, Dr. Laipple transitioned into civilian psychiatric practice. He has since built a respected career in private practice psychiatry, complemented by service as the staff psychiatrist for an inpatient substance abuse rehabilitation facility and later as a civilian psychiatrist at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon. In these roles, he continued his focus on the evaluation and treatment of PTSD, trauma-related disorders, and co-occurring substance use conditions among active-duty personnel and veterans.

Dr. Laipple’s combined military and clinical experience offers a unique depth of insight into the psychological challenges faced by those who serve. His practice is guided by a commitment to evidence-based care, compassion, and a profound respect for the men and women of the Armed Forces.

Board-certified psychiatrist with subspecialties in child and adolescent psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, and trauma-related disorders.

Dr. Barczak earned his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his psychiatry residency and advanced fellowships in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry at the University of Kentucky.

During his residency and fellowship training, Dr. Barczak worked extensively within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where he provided psychiatric care to veterans coping with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and related mood and anxiety disorders. His clinical experiences in the VA system gave him a deep understanding of the complex interplay between combat trauma, neurological injury, and long-term psychosocial functioning. He continues to draw on this background in his current work, providing comprehensive trauma and TBI evaluations for veterans and service members seeking diagnostic clarification and treatment recommendations.

Dr. Barczak is widely recognized for his forensic and service-connected mental health assessments, offering expert evaluations that inform VA disability determinations, legal proceedings, and treatment planning for veterans reintegrating into civilian life. His approach emphasizes the integration of neuropsychiatric evaluation with a holistic understanding of trauma, ensuring that both emotional and cognitive dimensions of injury are addressed.

In his clinical practice, Dr. Barczak treats a broad range of psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, and psychotic disorders, with a focus on trauma-informed and individualized care. He currently practices in Atlanta, Georgia, and serves as Medical Director for United Behavioral Health Solutions (UBHS), overseeing trauma and behavioral health programs for youth and adults. Through his ongoing work, Dr. Barczak remains dedicated to advancing veteran mental health, promoting recovery, and improving quality of life for those affected by psychological and neurological trauma.