Our Leadership — SOF NETWORK

Board of Directors

justin@sofnetwork.org

Justin Ball retired in 2021 from 24 years on Active Duty in the US Army at the rank of Sergeant Major. Justin served in a variety of roles from 11B in the 75th Ranger Regiment to 18D Special Forces Medic at 1st SF Group. He served the majority of his career with a Special Mission Unit as a Senior Medic and a variety of Senior Enlisted leadership roles (Ft. Bragg, NC). In addition to working through his own mental health struggles, his experience working with soldiers and families in crisis led him to enter the mental health field. He graduated from THE Ohio State University with a Masters in Social Work with an emphasis in mental health and substance abuse treatment. Justin works for a local counseling practice providing clinical mental health in Moore County, NC for individuals and couples.
“I work with most populations and have an integrative theoretical orientation based on Internal Family Systems, Applied Neurobiology, and Existential Therapy. I have unique experience and training in working with anxiety disorders, PTSD, moral Injury, addiction (with a focus on alcohol use disorder and pornography/internet addiction), couples counseling, and ADHD. I also believe one’s spirituality is a major factor in the healing process and do my best to incorporate a client’s spirituality (regardless of religion or denomination) into therapy when requested. In looking for new ways to reach the community, I am passionate about utilizing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a platform to provide mental health education to children and adults dealing with trauma.”

lakeoconeecounseling@gmail.com
Dr. Martha Herb (RADM, USN-ret) is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Maryland and Georgia. With more than 21 years experience using EMDR, Dr. Herb now specializes in trauma focused EMDR Intensives. Dr. Herb retired from the United States Navy in 2018 as a Rear Admiral, a Navy Diving and Salvage Officer and a member of the EOD Community. She served in Afghanistan from 2010-2011 with her last Joint assignment as the 25th Director of the InterAmerican Defense College in Washington DC. Martha’s experience is certainly unique, and she brilliantly weaves together executive leadership, military acumen and clinical talent to help fellow military members achieve victory in those struggles that interfere with living life to its fullest.
Dr. Herb is an EMDR Facilitator and Trainer (Part 1) for the EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program and provides training, consultation and mentorship to the next generation of therapists.
Dr. Herb maintains a part-time clinical practice – Lake Oconee Christian Counseling, LLC – and provides EMDR Intensives.
She has been married for 44 years to CAPT Mike Herb (USN-ret), who also served as a Navy Diving and Salvage Officer. She has completed multiple marathons, the Ironman in Hawaii and is an accomplished swimmer. Currently she enjoys leisurely swimming and playing with the grandkiddos.

Steve@sofnetwork.org
Steve is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and AAMFT Approved Supervisor. He is the founder and owner of Hidden Wounds Family Therapy in Fuquay Varina, NC. Hidden Wounds Family Therapy is a counseling service focused on the healing and rebuilding of relationships. Prior to starting this season of life, Steve served a little over 20 years in the US Army and deployed 6 times; a peacekeeping mission to Bosnia, 3 combat tours of Iraq and 2 combat tours of Afghanistan with the majority of combat tours in special operations. He served in the 101st, and 82nd Airborne Divisions and finally retired after spending several years in 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Delta Force).
Steve provides individual, couples, and family services for a range of topics including but not limited to, anxiety, depression, conflict resolution, trauma resolution (PTSD, etc.), and parenting helps to name a few. Steve is a graduate of Liberty University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in Christian Counseling and a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Steve has been married for over 13 years and together he and his wife have 6 children and 11 grandchildren.

Kammie@sofnetwork.org
Kammie DeGhetto brings over 30 years of mental health experience as well as strong leadership experience at every level of an organization (tactical, operational, and strategic) in both clinical and non-clinical settings. Kammie retired from the United States Air Force in 2019 with her last assignment at the Defense Health Headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia. Kammie brings a unique perspective to our board as veteran, a mental health provider and a spouse of an operator. She has a heart for the SOF community and knows on many levels the challenges this community faces.
Kammie earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Florida State University in 1992. She received a Master of Clinical Social Work from Florida State University in 1994. Additionally, her professional military education culminated in the completion of Air War College through Air University in 2014.
Kammie maintains a part-time practice and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida and Tennessee. She a founding member of Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy Association of East Tennessee and Co-Founder of the WISDOM Council (Women in Service Deepening Our Mission) to train and mentor military-affiliated women who are committed to bringing innovative healing modalities into their communities. Kammie is also a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
She currently lives with her husband, Todd who retired from the Navy after 30 years serving as a Navy SEAL, and their three teenage children outside of Knoxville, TN. She enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, hiking, traveling, and being out on the lake with friends and family.

christie@drchristiesprowls.com
Dr. Christie Sprowls is a board licensed Psychologist in the State of Texas and has been in practice for 35 years.
Dr. Sprowls was personally selected by Dr. Francine Shapiro, the Founder of EMDR, to become a Trainer for the EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program, and to teach others to become trainers abroad. Dr. Christie literally sat in Dr. Shapiros living room while she learned to teach EMDR, the way that Dr. Shapiro wanted it to be taught. Dr. Sprowls was awarded the privilege of training independently by Dr. Shapiro and the EMDR Institute, and uses the same Gold Standard training materials Dr. Shapiro developed and used.
Dr. Sprowls grew up traveling the world. Her father was a pilot in the AirForce and became a diplomat in the Foreign service. It was through this exposure here that she gained a passion for humanitarian work. She trained members of the military at Ft Hood and BAMC to use EMDR therapy. This included active duty, Special Ops, Psychiatrists, Social workers and Chaplains. To this day she finds serving those who have served us, some of her most rewarding work.
Additionally, Dr. Christie is often called to disaster sites and has trained in Indonesia, China, Bangladesh, 7 countries in South and Central America, Turkey, Japan, Cuba as well as in disaster sites closer to home, such as New Orleans - Katrina and Oklahoma City, Houston- Harvey, Missouri and most recently Uvalde. She has worked with UNICEF, and the US Army and various nonprofit agencies and NGOs. Dr. Sprowls has been awarded two Humanitarian Assistance Awards for her service abroad.
She remains devoted to teaching EMDR to those who have a passion for helping others.

Secretary/Treasurer
Jillian@sofnetwork.org
Jillian has over ten years of experience of providing therapeutic services to individuals, couples, and families within the military and SOF communities. She served in the United States Army as a Behavioral Health Officer, and was embedded with multiple special operations forces units.
Jillian earned her Master's degree in Social Work from University of Southern California, and completed her clinical training at Fort Belvoir, where she worked with service members and veterans with a wide range of mental health concerns.
As a person-centered existential therapist, she strives to create a space where clients can explore their own values, beliefs, and priorities, and to develop a deeper sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. She works with clients to help them confront their trauma and anxiety, to develop a more accepting and compassionate relationship with themselves and their experiences. She believes that by working together to ask the deepest questions about existence, clients can develop a greater sense of self-awareness, resilience, and fulfillment.
Jillian is actively involved in the military and veteran communities, and frequently provides training and consultation to other mental health professionals on best practices for working with military and veteran populations.

Vice President
wheeler@sofnetwork.org
Dr. Wheeler is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in trauma. He is also an adjunct professor in the fields of Theology, Counselor Education, and Counselor Supervision. Most notably, he is a former Navy SEAL with a passion for working with military veterans, law enforcement, first responders, healthcare professionals, and teachers! Understanding that everyone has experienced trauma in some form, Dr. Wheeler focuses on the negative thoughts created by significant, and in many cases, seemingly insignificant traumatic events. By dealing with these false beliefs, one is able to navigate through the mental struggles and move toward peace. He uses an eclectic approach to therapy and specializes in EMDR and Christian Counseling.

President/Founder
chris@sofnetwork.org
Dr. Ostrander is a national certified counselor. He is licensed in North Carolina, Florida, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Dr. Ostrander has been counseling for nearly 10 years. Dr. Ostrander currently serves as a core faculty member of a CACREP accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Dr. Ostrander also owns and operates a private practice along with his wife Dr. Melissa Ostrander. In 2019 they moved from eastern NC to the greater Tampa Bay area and moved their practice entirely online. His theoretical orientation is grounded in family systems and more specifically Attachment theory. Dr. Ostrander has specialized training in Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, Brief Solution-Focused Therapy, Family Systems, and Group Therapy. Dr. Ostrander has extensive training and education in the integration of faith/spirituality and philosophical thought within the field of counseling.
When Dr. Ostrander isn’t working with students, clients or offering his time in the nonprofit world, you can find him with his family exploring coastal FL by boat.