Confidential, Culturally Competent Support for

Police, Fire, EMS, Dispatch, & Other Public Safety Professionals

First responders are exposed to trauma in ways few outside the profession can imagine. Repeated exposure to critical incidents—line-of-duty deaths, child fatalities, violent crime, disasters—takes a toll that doesn’t simply fade with time. What begins as sleepless nights, irritability, or reliance on alcohol to “turn off the noise” can grow into relationship problems, out-of-control spending, post traumatic stress, burnout, or worse.

At The Counseling Team International (TCTI), we provide specialized trauma counseling for first responders that goes beyond generic mental health care. Our clinicians and peer supporters understand the job, the culture, and the stigma that makes asking for help so difficult. You don’t need to explain what it means to work a double shift, hear a dispatcher’s tone, or clear a scene; you’ll be talking to someone who already gets it. We’re proud to have been one of the nation’s first and longest-running resources for first responders, since 1985.

Short-Term Counseling Support

Employees, spouses and tax eligible household family members of contracted departments can schedule counseling services. TCTI provides in person or virtual appointments with clinicians who are uniquely qualified to help with challenges faced by public safety and their families.

Addictive Behaviors

Alcohol Misuse

Anger

Anxiety

Children & Elder Care

Critical Incident

Depression

Disability & Injury

Disciplinary & Work Issues

Domestic Violence

Grief & Loss

Legal & Financial Issues

Life After Retirement

Marriage & Relationships

Medical Issues & Illness

Military & Veterans

Post Traumatic Stress

Separation & Divorce

Spiritual & Religious

Substance Misuse

Suicide Ideation

Our Counseling Approach

TCTI offers a confidential, solutions-focused, and culturally competent approach to trauma counseling. Here’s what that looks like:

Culturally Competent Clinicians

All therapists are trained to work with law enforcement, fire, EMS, dispatch, and public safety professionals. They “speak the language” of first responders.

Evidence-Based Modalities

Depending on your needs, sessions may include Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, and stress-management skills.

Confidential & Voluntary

Counseling sessions are always private. Departments are not informed when an employee seeks support, unless you specifically choose to involve them. We use blind billing and client names are never listed on the invoice.

Short- and Long-Term Options

Some responders need only a few sessions to process an event. Others may benefit from ongoing counseling. We provide both short- and long-term options to best support you.

What to Expect

When you contact TCTI for trauma counseling, you can expect:

Easy Access – Call directly to connect. Appointments are typically scheduled within days.
Individualized Care – After an initial session, you and your clinician determine the right path forward.
Flexible Format – Counseling is available in person at TCTI offices, on-site at agencies, or virtually via secure telehealth.
Follow-Up & Ongoing Support – If deeper treatment is needed, TCTI connects you with appropriate next-level care while remaining part of your support system.

Proven Impact

First responders who engage with TCTI report:

Reduced symptoms of stress and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Better sleep and healthier coping skills

Improved family relationships

Greater resilience and confidence for duty

Schedule a Counseling Appointment

Employees, spouses and tax eligible household family members of contracted departments can call TCTI during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) and speak with our scheduling department. The scheduler will ask a few questions about counseling needs and any preferences for the appointment. After the call, the employee (or spouse or tax eligible family member) will be emailed a packet to complete online before the appointment can be confirmed.