For First Responders
Police, fire, EMS, dispatch, corrections. You carry what most people never see. Treatment that understands that, close to home, on a schedule that works with shifts.
Accredited by The Joint CommissionLegitScript certified4.9 stars from 150+ Google reviewsIn-network with Harvard Pilgrim & Tufts (Point32Health)Why first responders are different
Repeated exposure to trauma is part of the job, and it accumulates. Add shift work, a culture that prizes toughness, easy access to alcohol as the unofficial debrief, and the fear that asking for help ends a career, and you have a population with elevated rates of PTSD, depression, substance use, and suicide, and lower rates of getting help. The problem isn’t weakness. It’s math: nobody can absorb that much without support.
What treatment looks like
Trauma-focused care is central. EMDR is one of the best-supported treatments for the kind of cumulative, incident-based trauma first responders carry, and it doesn’t require narrating every call. CBT and DBT address the sleep, anger, and hypervigilance that come with it. Where alcohol or other substances have become the coping mechanism, we treat that at the same time through our dual diagnosis approach. Our Evening IOP was built with shift workers in mind.
Confidentiality and your career
Your treatment is protected by HIPAA and, for substance use, by federal confidentiality regulations that go further. We do not contact your department, and we release nothing without your written consent. Many departments now actively support members getting care, and peer support programs across Massachusetts can point you to us discreetly.
Family and peers
Spouses and partners of first responders carry their own load. Family sessions help them understand what you’re dealing with and how to support you without walking on eggshells. Peer support colleagues are welcome to call us on your behalf for information.
If you’re in crisis right now, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to the nearest emergency room. For everything else, call us at (781) 570-5781. We’ll pick up.
Frequently asked questions
Will treatment affect my license, certification, or fitness for duty?
Voluntarily seeking treatment is generally viewed favorably, and we do not report to licensing bodies or employers. Situations vary, so ask us about your specific concern.
Can I attend around a rotating shift schedule?
Talk to admissions. Our Evening IOP and hybrid options exist for exactly this reason.
Do you treat retired first responders?
Yes. Trauma doesn’t retire when you do, and many retirees find that symptoms surface after the structure of the job is gone.
Confidential help, on your schedule
Call us any time for a confidential conversation. We’ll answer your questions, check your insurance at no cost, and help you decide whether Forrest is the right fit — no pressure.