DAVID WIKLANSKI
Emergency Services Professional - Mental Health Advocate - Educator
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 988
The national suicide hotline. Not first responder specific, but they can and will talk to anyone who needs help. We’ve been told by one of their founders they have a large number of first responders and veterans who volunteer.
Crisis Text Line - 741741
A service that allows people in crisis to speak with a trained crisis counselor by texting 741741.
New Jersey Specific Resources:
Anastasia Pytal, PsyD (Northern NJ Counseling Center)
Little Falls, NJ – Dr. Pytal is a former law enforcement officer who specializes in public safety psychology and treating first responders.
Anna Olsen, LPC
Succasunna, NJ – Reported to specialize in stress, trauma, and PTSD. Anna comes highly recommended by a first responder who has been under her care.
R. Ellen Runyon, MSW, LSW, DRCC, & EMT (Inner Balance Psychology Center)
Pennington, NJ – Ellen has been an EMT since 1982 and one of her specialties is working with first responders who are having PTSD symptoms.
Frontline Responder Services
CA, NJ, PA – In conjunction with Sprout Health Group they offer residential treatment focusing on stress, and alcohol and chemical dependency treatment for active, retired, and former first responders along with their families.
Dr. Lee Picariello, PsyD (Mind Flex LLC)
Newtown, PA – Has experience treating first responders and comes recommended by a first responder who has been under his care
Princeton House Behavioral Health
Princeton, NJ – Their First Responder Treatment Services provides a full continuum of inpatient addiction and psychological specialty services within a confidential setting for law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and military veterans/personnel. We are an acute care facility with medical and psychiatric services specifically designed to treat PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and chronic and acute trauma associated with critical incidents that First Responders confront in the performance of their work.
Robert Watts, M.A., L.P.C, L.C.A.D.C
Mercer County, NJ. His practice is primarily first responders and he is private pay only with a sliding scale. He has experience treating first responders with various mental health conditions, including trauma, anxiety, and substance abuse. 267-799-3660
Trauma & Addiction Psychology for Emergency Responders
Statewide – Offers confidential mental health and addiction services to first responders. Up to 12 therapy sessions may be covered for some people. Phone: 1-800-968-1242.
Dr. William Babula, Ph.D
Morris County, NJ – Has experience treating first responders, treating PTSD, and using CISD. 908-720-5090