Dr. Blake Harris is a licensed clinical forensic psychologist and the Director of the Veterans Mental Health Department (VMHD) for the Texas Veterans Commission. In this position he is responsible for the VMHD as it strives to connect service members, veterans, and their families (SMVF) with local, competent, and relevant mental health resources. VMHD meets this charge by providing trainings on mental health topics relevant to the SMVF, by providing certification standards and guidance to the Military Veteran Peer Network, by advocating for justice-involved veterans across Texas, and by coordinating with other agencies and community partners.
Prior to joining TVC, Dr. Harris has been responsible for program development and implementation in both secured-residential and community-based settings while providing oversight and leadership to diverse professional teams including clinicians, case managers, program coordinators, family partners, and direct care staff. Additionally, he has participated in mental health specialty courts and provided training and clinical supervision to predoctoral interns and postdoctoral clinicians. He has also worked with adults, adolescents, and families of underserved populations in various residential and outpatient settings and instructed graduate courses in forensic mental health risk assessment. He obtained his PhD in Clinical Forensic Psychology from Alliant International University and his Master of Arts in Psychology from Stephen F. Austin State University. Dr. Harris is a proud Texan and is grateful for the opportunity the serve the SMVF across the Lone Star State.