Deborah Loftis, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Deborah Loftis is a senior operational psychologist, licensed clinical psychologist, and behavioral science researcher with over 20 years of experience delivering clinical, operational, consultative, and crisis intervention services to national security, military, and law enforcement clients. As a subject matter expert in personnel assessment and selection for sensitive operations, counter-insider threat, and operational psychology, she brings extensive expertise in supporting counterintelligence and security operations.  

Before joining government service, Dr. Loftis served as the 2007-2008 American Psychological Association/American Association for the Advancement of Science Executive Branch Science Policy Fellow. In this role, she led insider threat research initiatives, applying scientific expertise and technical expertise to key issues while fostering stronger collaboration between scientists and policymakers.

Dr. Loftis earned her B.S. from Texas A&M University, M.Ed. from the University of North Texas and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. She completed her clinical internship training at the University of Miami School of Medicine, followed by a formal APPCN-approved combined three-year Postdoctoral Residency in clinical pediatric neuropsychology and neurocognitive research at Children’s National Medical Center/George Washington School of Medicine in Washington, DC. Additionally, she is a licensed teacher and school counselor with 8 years of experience in public education. Dr. Loftis has held several leadership positions, including serving on the American Psychological Association Council of Representatives (COR) for Division 40 (Society for Clinical Neuropsychology), as the APA Science Representative on the Committee on Early Career Psychologists, and as an Associate Editor for Counter-Insider Threat Research and Practice (CITRAP).