About

Our Mission:
FCTRT is a nonprofit alliance of mental health professionals
dedicated to helping First Responders and the
Connecticut community heal from trauma, tragedy, and stress.

FCTRT’S Origin Story

How We Began – When Called, We Embraced Their Request

Our organization was established in 2011 in response to a horrific tragedy that occurred in Stamford, Connecticut on Christmas day when three children and their grandparents lost their lives in a blaze that will forever be imprinted on the memory of our community.

We received a call for emotional help from the Stamford Fire Department and responded.

The loss of children is something all of us know is beyond true human comprehension. So, for a minute we ask you to walk in the shoes of those seventy firefighters who valiantly fought to save these precious lives and ask yourself if you could live unaffected by this tragic loss and then return to your own family to try to celebrate this holiday. These brave first responders knew they were struggling with the emotional impact of that event and were brave enough to seek our help.

And Grew – We Organized Our Team to Respond

When the Stamford Fire Department called, seven experienced trauma therapists responded to support the firefighters’ emotional struggles. We learned a great deal from this experience and came to realize that unfortunately this would not be the only time our services would be needed. We needed to stretch our capacity and resources as best we could to accommodate these extraordinary men and women who are all too often called upon to save us and members of our community.

We formed Fairfield County Trauma Response Team (FCTRT) to enable us to respond to future local crises.

The Need Continues

Less than a year later on December 14, 2012, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting occurred and FCTRT members found themselves responding to yet another devastating event, this one of epic proportions. Our services were stretched to a much broader group of first responders to include more members of our community including: law enforcement, dispatch, teachers, psychotherapists, medical staff, clergy, and funeral directors.

2020 brought the unique needs of the frontline COVID-19 responders. We offered our support to these brave people both individually and in support groups.

Our goal is always to help process trauma, strengthen resilience and build post-traumatic growth. During COVID doctors, nurses and hospital staff members witnessed death and dying without the patient’s family members close by in staggering numbers. Nursing home staff members were filling the void of the critical family role during patients’ isolation. Clergy and funeral directors were tasked with helping people grieve without the traditional ceremonies that are so meaningful in the grieving process. These heroes put themselves at risk for us. Without treatment first responders are three times more likely to develop duty induced Post Traumatic Stress (PTS).*

And we are ready!

Today, FCTRT has 36 full-time trauma-informed psychotherapist members, ready to respond when needed. We are also supported by an additional 4 volunteer clinicians who lend their time when they can.

We stand ready for what may come!

What We Do – Their Call is a 911 Call to FCTRT

Maintain an extensive referral network of trauma-informed psychotherapists.
Facilitate free workshops at regional first responder organizations, with curriculum specifically designed to arm First Responders with tools and techniques to support themselves, their teams, and their families.
Provide free, ongoing support groups for First Responders.
Advise on the development of and then mentor peer support groups within
Public Safety departments.
Practice evidenced-based, trauma-informed mental health treatment.
Facilitate Critical Incident Defusings and Debriefings after particularly difficult calls.

Help Us Help Our First Responders and Frontline Heroes.

Donate Now!

Thank You!

*First Responders Foundation http://www.1strt.org

Inclusion:

FCTRT is committed to making a difference in the lives of our members and our community by addressing the wounds of trauma. This commitment is affirmed in our strategic plan, which has diversity, equality and inclusion at its core. Let us reach out to one another and heal the wounds of historic and present-day trauma.

What is a Trauma Response Team?

Our Trauma Response Team (TRT) is a standing, scalable network of volunteer, trauma-informed mental health clinicians prepared to deliver timely, high-quality interventions in the aftermath of crisis and disaster. Our primary clinical approach is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based therapy for addressing acute and complex trauma.

FCTRT Inc. is comprised of licensed, highly experienced trauma therapists trained in both EMDR and disaster response. As a permanent and continually expanding team, we are intentionally structured, organized, and deployment-ready. This proactive model ensures that clinicians are already trained, coordinated, and equipped to respond effectively—knowing what to do and when to do it.

We provide early EMDR interventions in the immediate aftermath of traumatic events, as well as targeted support during the recovery phase—when natural resilience has supported many, but some individuals continue to experience persistent stress symptoms and require more focused, effective care.

Early EMDR Intervention works…

FCTRT Inc. is a team of licensed, seasoned trauma therapists, trained in EMDR treatment and disaster response.

Our Primary Function

Our primary function is to serve First Responders; to provide them with training to identify trauma symptoms and to provide trauma treatment. Fire, Police, EMS, Medical Professionals, Mental Health Clinicians, Teachers, Clergy and Town Government Officials are all included in our definition of First Responders we work with.

Healing our First Responders helps them continue to do the jobs they love but also has a ripple effect in their families and communities. When these folks suffer we all suffer.

Local Networking: Outreach to local Emergency Management organizations and participate along with the Emergency Services Network.

Local Disaster: Screen clients, provide trauma treatment sessions and arrange for continued care as needed.

Accomplishments: Since our inception in 2011 we have been deployed to five local disasters and offered many training sessions including:

Covid-19: Continue to provide support and mental health treatment referrals to Medical personnel, Clergy, Funeral Directors, Nursing Home staff as well as EMS, Firefighters, Police, and Therapists.
Local school district: Held several trauma trainings to understand student suicides
Newtown/Sandy Hook: Provided treatment to children, families, Teachers, EMS, Fire Fighters, Law Enforcement, Hospital staff, Clergy and Psychotherapists.
Public Safety Officers: Led 177 pro bono training workshops for 39 First Responder organizations, reaching over 2,500 individuals.
Local Clinicians: Offered 10 free or reduced fee trainings to mental health clinicians, with over 350 participants
Held our first Clinician/First Responder day-long conference: Trauma and Recovery for First Responder Communities. Coming together: Firefighters, Police, EMTs, Nurses, Physicians & Therapists