Dr. Varpas de Sa Pereira brings over two decades of combined military, clinical, and psychological experience to the Board of Directors at OPERATION SHIELD. A former Marine Corps and special operations officer with more than 15 years of military service, Dr. de Sa Pereira has an intimate understanding of warrior culture and the unique mental health challenges faced by veterans transitioning into civilian life.
Currently serving as a staff psychologist at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Long Beach, California, Dr. de Sa Pereira provides critical mental health care to veterans and their families. His professional journey includes a Post-Doctoral Fellowship and advanced clinical roles focusing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), crisis intervention, and trauma recovery. He also continues to support U.S. special operations forces as a contractor specializing in assessment, selection, and mission-critical psychological consultation.
Dr. de Sa Pereira earned his PsyD in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Boston University. Over the years, he has developed and refined Warrior Withdrawal Syndrome, a clinical framework for identifying and treating the psychological effects of transitioning from high-stress combat or mission-driven environments to the relative stillness of civilian life. He has trained VA staff in this model and facilitated psychoeducation groups specifically designed to support veterans with this condition.
As a Board Member of OPERATION SHIELD, Dr. de Sa Pereira plays an instrumental role in shaping veteran-focused clinical strategies. He advises on program development, facilitates clinician training, and supports mentorship and reintegration initiatives for both active-duty servicemembers and post-9/11 veterans. His real-world experience and academic insight ensure that OPERATION SHIELD’s mental health programs are both trauma-informed and culturally competent.
Originally from New England, Dr. de Sa Pereira resides in the Greater Los Angeles area with his four children. He remains dedicated to advancing the care and resilience of veterans, both through public service and his leadership within OPERATION SHIELD.