Therapy for First Responders & Veterans

Few understand what allows a First Responder to enter into danger while others run from it. Even fewer the spirit of service necessary to hold such a responsibility. If you are a member of the Military, a Police Officer, Firefighter, Paramedic, Emergency Dispatcher, or other First Responder, you were never meant to serve alone. Do not suffer alone.

Regardless of how well-trained you are, how cohesive your unit is, how advanced the technology you carry, or how effective the leadership is, no one is immune to the stresses and strains you face. Given enough time, emotional collapse is inevitable. This is not a measure of character. It is a quality of being human.

Whether you are still in uniform or transitioned into the limbo between service and the civilian world as a Veteran, we are here to serve those who have and continue to serve.
Therapy for first responders

RD Psychotherapy recognizes that First Responders and Veterans belong to unique communities that comprise their own cultures. Whether you are from or have served in the Military, Police, or as a Firefighter, you belong to cultures rich in beliefs and values. Beliefs and values that identify with a strong conviction of service before self. Many who have never been in uniform may not be able to fully understand that First Responders belong to a unique culture.

Co-founder, Richard Piekarczyk-Vacca, was medically released from the Canadian Armed Forces after a traumatic brain injury. Through experience and education, he transferred his skills from service as a Combat Engineer into his treatment as a Registered Psychotherapist. With a new mission but the same reason to serve, he provides an uncommon ability to develop a unique therapeutic relationship with his clients.

Understanding the importance of a fireteam during his service, our treatment team combines competence with confidence in our co-operative treatment approaches. What brings our clients to us involves a unique history that goes beyond a diagnosis or symptoms. This is why we do not have a one size fits all mindset to treatment.

We do not want you to be forced to keep repeating your story to a new practitioner each time just to get treatment. Our treatment team works together through co-operative dialogue in your treatment while always protecting your confidentiality to those outside your care.

For any necessary communication regarding your treatment with those outside of your team, such as with VAC, we will get your consent to share information first. Trust requires transparency. We want you to know what we are doing and why.

Combining conventional medical practices with alternative medicine has been shown to be safe and effective in preventative and responsive treatment. From psychotherapy and naturopathic medicine to a network of other healthcare resources, we are here to service to those who have served and those still in uniform.

RD Psychotherapy is a multidisciplinary clinic with a mission to provide evidence-based treatments. Our circle of care includes individual, couples, family, and group psychotherapy that compliments our integrative medical approach to your care.

Located in Hamilton, Ontario, we offer the option of in-person or secure treatment remotely through telemedicine. This makes us capable of serving across all of Ontario and allows us to improve accessibility to evidence-based therapy wherever possible in the province.

With registered psychological and physical healthcare practitioners, our holistic lens to healthcare helps maximize collaborative care’s benefits by integrating the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual spectrums of health.