Justin Baker, PhD

About Me

As a clinical psychologist, I primarily work to support mental health patients with a military background, and have a special emphasis on treating and researching trauma and suicide. I want to help those suffering from a trauma-related disorder get their life back. Trauma often impacts people’s social relationships, causing them to withdraw from others and isolate. I use evidence-based care that specifically targets their symptoms to bring rapid relief and positive change to their lives. I’m certified in both cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure, two evidence-based treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

I’m passionate about serving those who have been willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I myself served on active duty for four years with the Navy as a clinical psychologist and continue to do so as an active reservist. Following separation from the Navy in 2018, I joined the National Center for Veterans Studies (NCVS) at University of Utah as a research assistant professor. I also served as the director for training within the center. Transitioning out of the military is never an easy process. However, by joining the NCVS I was able to continue working on the research efforts I had initiated while in the Navy. Now I get to continue this work at The Ohio State University.

My research interests center around applied interventions for the reduction of suicide in a military population as well as improving upon current treatments for PTSD. In collaboration with my colleagues, I have helped to translate proven suicide prevention interventions to a military population as well as improve the early identification of suicidal individuals in military primary care settings. One recent study examined the effectiveness of text messaging as a form of Caring Contacts, one of only two interventions shown to prevent death by suicide in randomized controlled trials. A study after that examined the effectiveness of the Suicide Cognitions Scale (SCS) as an indirect measure of suicide risk to alert primary care providers.

When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time with family outdoors, including camping, hiking and skiing.

Highlights

• Member of APA Division 19, Military Psychology
• Member of APA Division 56, Trauma Psychology
• Certified as a consultant for prolonged exposure
• Director of Training, National Center for Veterans Studies, 2019 – 2020
• Interim Clinical Investigations Department Head, Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, 2018
• Recipient, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, 2018

Procedures and Conditions I Treat

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Psychology
• Mental Health