New Team Leader at VA

The Buffalo Vet Center announced Paul J. Harrigan, Ph.D., as the new Team Leader joining the counseling staff located at 2372 Sweet Home Road, Suite 1, Buffalo 14228. Dr. Harrigan brings military and counseling experience to the Buffalo Vet Center serving as a Supervisory Psychologist/Team Leader responsible for the effective management of the clinic to deliver the highest quality outreach and counseling services for combat Veterans and those who experience Military Sexual Trauma (MST).

During 2008-2011, Dr. Harrigan worked at VA Western New York Healthcare System Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Clinic in Batavia, specializing in the treatment of co-occurring PTSD and Substance Abuse Disorders for outpatient and inpatient Veterans.

Dr. Harrigan’s military experience began with active duty in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) between 1988 and 1992, serving in Operation Sharpe Edge, Monrovia, Liberia and in support of Operation Desert Shield, with the 22^nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, 1990-1991. Upon release from active duty he completed undergraduate studies at Niagara County Community College (NCCC) and earned Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology, Summa Cum Laude, Niagara University, 1997. Dr. Harrigan then earned his Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology at Columbia University, 1999. He worked as a counselor in community mental health in New York City for a year and then moved to Florida where he earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling Psychology from the University of Miami, 2007. While attending University of Miami, Dr. Harrigan completed practicum and was hired at the Miami Vet Center where he worked between 2001 and 2005. He completed his Psychology Internship at the Miami Veteran’s Hospital in 2004. In 2007 Dr. Harrigan relocated back to New York State and served as Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Psychologist at the Bath, VA medical center for one year. In 2010 he re-enlisted and is currently serving as a Psychologist with the United States Army Reserve.

Dr. Harrigan and the counseling staff at The Department of Veteran Affairs, Buffalo Vet Center can be reached at (716) 862-7350.