Dr. Flaherty is a clinical psychologist with more than 36 years of practice. Seeking to align science, service and policy, in 1999 he co-founded the Institute for Research, Education and Training in the Addictions (IRETA) and became the Principle Investigator of its HHS/SAMHSA/CSAT funded Northeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC). Dr. Flaherty was previously the Vice President for Behavioral Care at the St. Francis Health System in Pittsburgh and Director of its Institute for Psychiatry and Addiction Services. He has authored over 20 Federal and Foundational grants and more than 45 articles, chapters and monographs on topics ranging from the science of recovery of focused care to workforce. He is an adviser to the White House Office National Drug Control where he currently serves on its National Heroin Task Force for OD prevention. He also serves as subject matter expert for HHS/SAMHSA’s Military, Veterans and Families Substance Use Technical Assistance Center; and past clinical adviser to the Betty Ford Institute. Since 2015 he has served as a clinical advisor to U.S. Attorney’s Plan to address O.D. in W. Pa. and nationally. He is a recipient of the Pittsburgh Psychological Association 2016 Legacy Award for lifetime contributions to the W. Pa. community.

Dr. Flaherty is a retired Captain in the U.S. Naval Reserve with 27 year’s service on active and reserve duty including service in Bosnia, Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He holds B.A. degrees in Philosophy and Psychology from the Pennsylvania State University and a M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Duquesne University.