First Responders & Military

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Psychological support for current and former first responders, safety personnel, military members, veterans, helping professions and their loved ones.

“You’re the first to be there for others. Let us be there for you…”

Operational Stress Injury Services

As a first responder you have to bear witness to and/or listen to the most challenging 1% of society, 100% of the time. The cumulative impact of exposure to trauma and human suffering, threats of violence, confrontation, shift work, public and media scrutiny, insufficient resources and bureaucracy can understandably result in you not feeling like your usual self. No matter how experienced or well trained you are, this can take a toll on your physical, mental, emotional and social well-being. If you are finding yourself having a hard time controlling your emotions, feeling more irritable, having difficulty relaxing, withdrawing from others, and/or are having difficulty sleeping, you are not alone. While the job may change you, it does not have to break you.

HART Centre for Psychology offers evidence-based care that is transparent, down-to-earth, genuine, practical and action-oriented to meet the mental health needs of current and former first responders, helping professionals and those in high-trauma sectors. Moreover, everyone’s reaction to trauma and stress is unique which is why we offer personalized care. We have specific training and experience to understand the challenges of your work and we know how to provide the support you need to thrive again.

This includes but is not limited to:

  • Stress due to excessive workloads or interpersonal difficulties in the workplace
  • Workplace harassment
  • Sleep issues and/or nightmares
  • Frequently feeling short-tempered, impatient and/or experiencing anger outbursts
  • Emotional numbness and feeling detached from loved ones
  • Trouble relaxing or “switching off” due to constantly feeling on edge
  • Feeling overwhelmed by waves of panic or anxiety which seems to come out of the blue
  • Feeling overly emotional and having difficulty controlling emotions
  • Flashbacks when reminded of certain people, places or jobs you’ve been to
  • Excessive worry about family or children
  • Increased alcohol or substance use or the need to use in order to relax or to sleep
  • Thoughts of death or suicide
  • Uncertainty about leaving the job
  • Transitioning back to work

We also help first responders at different stages of their career including issues that can commonly arise during retirement such as:

  • Loss of identity since leaving
  • Feeling disconnected from family and others
  • Loss of meaning and purpose in life
  • Haunted by memories of incidents you have attended
  • Adjusting to life post service

HART Centre for Psychology is proudly affiliated with and extends support to the following organizations:

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Toronto Beyond the Blue
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Frequently Asked Questions

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