Meet Our Team
Dr. Buster Lackey, PhD, LPC-S, CIT-C
Founder/CEO
Dr. Buster Lackey brings more than two decades of combined experience in behavioral health, crisis response, and public safety to First Watch Psychological Institute. His professional background includes service as an elected County Constable, Chief Deputy Coroner, Fire/EMS responder, and behavioral-health consultant for the FBI’s Crisis Negotiation Unit.
Throughout his career, Dr. Lackey has helped public-safety agencies develop wellness initiatives, behavioral-health programs, and practical systems that support personnel before, during, and after critical incidents. As a counselor, author, educator, and keynote speaker, he is known for translating complex psychological principles into relatable, real-world guidance. His work is grounded in clinical expertise, lived public-safety experience, and a commitment to strengthening the resilience of those who serve.
Austin Edgar
Austin Edgar brings experience in military service, law enforcement, therapeutic programming, crisis response, and private-security operations to First Watch Psychological Institute. He served six years in the United States Army, attaining the rank of Sergeant while working as a CBRN specialist and Black Hawk helicopter crew chief.
Following his military service, Austin worked as a patrol officer and later as a narcotics agent and detective with a state- and federally supported drug task force. He also served as Adventure Therapy Manager at CALO Programs, helping lead experiential programming focused on confidence, relationships, and resilience. At First Watch, Austin supports agency outreach, strategic partnerships, and program development, helping connect public-safety organizations with psychological services, training, and resources shaped around the realities of their work.
Director of Engagement
Dr. Crystal Lackey, PT, DPT
Dr. Crystal Lackey brings a unique blend of healthcare expertise and lifelong experience within the first responder community to First Watch Psychological Institute. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Director of Operations, she is passionate about helping individuals achieve optimal health, recovery, and overall wellness while ensuring the organization’s mission is carried out with excellence and compassion.
Raised in a fire service family, Crystal experienced firsthand the realities of emergency service life, including missed holidays, interrupted family gatherings, late-night callouts, and the commitment required to serve others. As the wife of Dr. Buster Lackey, her connection to emergency response has continued through countless emergency calls, critical incidents, investigations, and community crises.
Crystal understands that the impact of public safety extends beyond the responder to the family members who wait, worry, support, and sacrifice behind the scenes. As Director of Operations, she brings empathy, practical insight, and professional healthcare expertise to supporting the wellness of responders and their families. She believes that behind every responder is a family that serves alongside them.
Director of Operations
Elizabeth Lackey-Baiza
Elizabeth Lackey-Baiza serves as Director of Clinical Services at First Watch Psychological Institute, bringing a lifetime of connection to the first responder and mental health communities. As the daughter of Dr. Buster Lackey, she was raised in a home where service, compassion, resilience, and helping others were a way of life. Her upbringing surrounded by first responders, law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS professionals, and mental health practitioners provided her with a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by those who serve others.
Elizabeth has completed specialized training in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) practices and FBI Crisis Negotiations, developing skills in crisis response, de-escalation, communication, and behavioral health support. Her clinical focus includes trauma-informed care and the complex emotional and psychological needs of individuals exposed to critical incidents and high-stress environments. She has also received specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based trauma treatment supporting individuals recovering from PTSD, critical incident stress, and other trauma-related challenges.
As Director of Clinical Services, Elizabeth is committed to ensuring that first responders, healthcare professionals, military personnel, and their families have access to compassionate, effective, and evidence-based support. Her work is grounded in specialized training, personal connection, and a dedication to helping individuals and families find hope, resilience, and lasting wellness while honoring those who answer the call to serve their communities every day.