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print full bioHector M. Torres, Ph.D.
Profile
Hector Torres, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist with broad experience in workplace issues in the United States and abroad. An effective trainer and sought-after speaker, he is an authority on Conflict Management, Violence Assessment, Sexual Harassment, Workplace Communications, Organizational Development, and Stress Reduction.
Dr. Torres has conducted more than 100 workshops in workplace violence for the U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and federal and state law-enforcement agencies. He has also provided individual assessments of employees who have threatened workplace violence.
For five years, Dr. Torres was on the faculty of the National Judicial College, providing continuing education for judges in the areas of communication skills, diversity, and team building.
Dr. Torres joined Ogletree Deakins in 2011. Previously, he was the Director of Human Services for the Indian Health Council, responsible for providing psychological and human services for 16,000 Native Americans in North San Diego County.
For 11 years, Dr. Torres was the Program Director for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Employee Assistance Program, which provides services for 9,500 DEA special agents and staff members. He was responsible for clinical services, organizational development and training.
A partner at Workplace Relations Center, Inc. (WRC) he was instrumental in the development of the company’s Organizational Appraisal System, which assesses schools, corporations and law enforcement agencies for high-risk situations and other problem areas.
Dr. Torres has consulted for many years with International Program Group (IPG), providing international corporations with training and assessments in the areas of security, workplace violence and pre-employment testing.
Dr. Torres is a recognized authority on cross-cultural training and education. As a consultant to the Department of Justice, Dr. Torres has provided training to dozens of law enforcement agencies that were having difficulties with diverse communities. The training included developing protocols for working with these communities, cross cultural communication skills, and working with limited-English-speaking communities. These interventions resulted in better relations with the target communities and a higher level of intelligence gathering. He also has served a peer reviewer for DOJ.
As a volunteer for the National Organization for Victims Assistance (NOVA), he trained the Puerto Rican Psychological Association on victim assistance techniques following Hurricane Hugo. He was also on the NOVA task force that developed the first national protocol on dealing with Hispanic victims of crime. Later, he presented the model at national conferences, to law-enforcement agencies, and to hospital administrators.
Dr. Torres is a member of the advisory council for the San Diego Diplomacy Council, a nonprofit that works with the U.S. State Department and other federal agencies to bring emerging foreign leaders to the United States for professional exchanges. Dr. Torres has provided “home hospitality” to more than 100 dignitaries, including senators, members of parliaments, and high-ranking government officials, as well as artists and academicians.
Dr. Torres is an adjunct professor in the Behavioral Sciences program at Webster University’s Irvine, California campus.
Experience
Hector Torres, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, educator and trainer who specializes in workplace issues and multicultural concerns. In addition to years of experience with corporations, law enforcement agencies and nonprofit entities, he has been trained by some of the most respected leaders in psychology and workplace issues. He received a certification in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) Certification, from Richard Bandler, co-creator of NLP. He studied Psychopathic Mind Training, from J. Reid Meloy, Ph.D., past President of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology and recipient of the first National Achievement Award from the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals. Dr. Torres also received a certificate in Rational-Emotive Therapy from Albert Ellis, Ph.D., the creator of the psychotherapeutic system.
Highlights:
- Pre-employment Assessments – He has conducted pre-employment assessments for law enforcement and private security groups that provided protection for Mexican industrialists.
- Workplace Violence – Because of his background and experience, Dr. Torres was recruited by the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) to lead the psychological response team that assembled following the Columbine shooting.
- Corporate Espionage – Using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, he detected the perpetrator in a multimillion-dollar corporate embezzlement case at a Mexican multi-national corporation.
- Stress Reduction – Dr. Torres developed a stress reduction program for the private security team for one of the major industrialists in Mexico.
Education and Honors
Ph.D., (Clinical Psychology) School of Human Behavior, United States International University, 1991
M.A., (Psychology) School of Human Behavior, United States International University, 1986
M.A., (Educational Administration) School of Education, San Diego State University, 1983
B.A., (Social Sciences) San Diego State University, 1974
Credentials and Licenses:
Psychology License, State of California, PSY 13309
Lifetime Teaching Credential, State of California
Administrative Services Credential, State of California
National Security Clearance
Professional Activities
- LEAD San Diego
- Mexican-American Business and Professional Association
- National Organization for Victim Assistance
- San Diego Diplomacy Council (Advisory Board)
