Shauna 'Doc' Springer, Owner, THIN LINE ADVISORY
Shauna ‘Doc’ Springer is a licensed psychologist, best-selling author, frequently requested keynote speaker, award-winning Military Times podcast host, and one of the world's leading experts on psychological trauma, military transition, suicide prevention, and close relationships.
A Harvard graduate who has become a trusted Doc to our nation’s military warfighters and first responders, she navigates diverse cultures with exceptional agility. Doc Springer is frequently sourced by the media for her uniquely perceptive insights on trauma recovery, post-traumatic growth, psychological health, and interpersonal relationships, developed from two decades of work at the extremes. Her work has been featured across more than 300 media engagements in multiple media outlets.
In her book, WARRIOR: How to Support Those Who Protect Us, Doc Springer takes us into the heart of trauma – how it impacts us, and how we can heal. WARRIOR has been the focus of collective readings by veteran groups and by thousands of therapists who support service members, veterans and first responders.
In her latest book, RELENTLESS COURAGE: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma, along with Sergeant (Ret) Michael Sugrue, she tackles the complexity of trauma with the law enforcement community, uncovers the unspoken barriers, and outlines a path to healing. RELENTLESS COURAGE releases in Spring 2022 and has been described by Lt. Col. David Grossman, best-selling author of On Killing and On Combat as “one of the most important books of our time” and “the natural successor to On Combat.”
Mike Ergo, THIN LINE ADVISOR
Mike Ergo was raised in Walnut Creek and attended Northgate High School. He served in the Marine Corps infantry from 2001-2005 and deployed to Iraq twice. After returning home he was able to find meaning and fulfillment in endurance sports and events. He has completed 4 full Ironman triathlons so far, including the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii in 2017. He returned to Kona most recently in October of 2023 to compete.
Mike now carries an American flag at each Ironman in honor of a Gold Star Family and their fallen son or daughter. He lives in Petaluma with his wife and two children.
Mike is the director of a mental health counseling center for combat veterans and victims of military sexual trauma. He has worked with combat veterans for over 13 years professionally, not to include hundreds of volunteer hours as a peer counselor before that.
Mike has experience doing trauma work with veterans exhibiting symptoms of PTSD. He has used modalities such as EMDR and exposure therapy, as well as incorporating physical fitness to help regulate the nervous systems of veterans he engages in treatment. Through extensive experience, Mike has come to find the ideal approach to healing to be both in the therapy room and engaging in physical fitness, whatever form that takes. Combining those approaches with a strong mission an individual believes in has proved successful time and again for the veterans and first responders with whom he has worked.
Mike earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of California, Berkeley (2010, 2012).
James Espinoza, THIN LINE ADVISOR
James Espinoza is a six-year U.S. Army veteran, retired 20-year law enforcement supervisor, public speaker, instructor, suicide prevention and wellness advocate, and mentor & coach for transitioning veterans, first responders, and their family members. James holds a Master of Science degree in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego. As a Southern California native, he is also an alumnus of California State University and Moorpark Community College.
Throughout his career, James worked as a deputy sheriff/deputy coroner, patrol officer, gang detective, violent crimes/homicide detective, and major fraud unit supervisor. He was a SWAT Crisis Negotiator, peer support supervisor, arrest & control, firearms, and active shooter response instructor. Additionally, he is a part-time adjunct instructor in the Criminal Justice Program at Ventura Community College.
With a diverse and well-rounded background, James is dedicated to empowering others to achieve success through mentoring, public speaking, and nonprofit leadership. He is also committed to philanthropic efforts and giving back to the community. James serves in several key nonprofit board positions and continues to make a lasting impact through his leadership, advocacy, and commitment to helping others. He is deeply passionate about supporting the groups he serves and helping them thrive in their personal and professional lives.
Robyn Sonnier, THIN LINE ADVISOR
Robyn Sonnier is a highly respected licensed therapist and two time graduate from Louisiana State University and current Doctorate of Professional Counseling candidate at Mississippi College. With over a decade of clinical experience and being a military/first responder partner, she has a passion for and expertise in working with the United States military and our nation's first responders, offering free sessions to veterans, active duty, and reservists, and financial assistance to first responders as a contracted therapist with The Overwatch Collective. She has extensive training in treating trauma, EMDR, IFS, and the unique mental health needs of the military and first responder population. She is a Level 2 Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP-II), a Certified Military Clinical Counselor (CMCC), Certified First Responder Counselor (CFRC), and CORDICO/NERPSC Emergency Responder & Public Safety Certified Clinician.
Robyn has spoken on both a local and national level sharing her clinical expertise with hundreds of other clinicians. Her expertise has also been highlighted on various podcasts and media outlets, and she has worked as a consultant with various organizations including Stella Mental Health, The Overwatch Collective, and various law enforcement agencies.
She has mostly recently been awarded the 2024 Humane and Caring Person award at the Louisiana Counseling Association conference highlighting her work of providing over $50,000 of free therapy sessions to veterans and military members.
