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First Responder Therapist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Pennybyrn

Security / Medical Responder

High Point, NC · On-site

$16 - $17.50/hr

Pennybyrn has an opportunity for a Security/First Responde r to join our innovative, inclusive, and ... Discounted services for Barber/Beauty shop and Massage Therapy * Beautiful, mature campus with ...

Pennybyrn

Security / Medical Responder

High Point, NC · On-site

$16 - $17.50/hr

Pennybyrn has an opportunity for a Security/First Responde r to join our innovative, inclusive, and ... Discounted services for Barber/Beauty shop and Massage Therapy * Beautiful, mature campus with ...

Pennybyrn

Security / Medical Responder

High Point, NC · On-site

$16 - $17.50/hr

Pennybyrn has an opportunity for a Security/First Responde r to join our innovative, inclusive, and ... Discounted services for Barber/Beauty shop and Massage Therapy * Beautiful, mature campus with ...

Pennybyrn

Security / Medical Responder

High Point, NC

$16 - $17.50/hr

Pennybyrn has an opportunity for a Security/First Responde r to join our innovative, inclusive, and ... Discounted services for Barber/Beauty shop and Massage Therapy * Beautiful, mature campus with ...

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How much do first responder therapist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for first responder therapist in the United States is $27.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.36 and $31.01 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a first responder therapist?

A First Responder Therapist is a mental health professional who specializes in providing therapy and support to first responders such as police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians. These therapists understand the unique stresses and traumas that first responders face in the line of duty, including exposure to critical incidents and high-pressure situations. They offer counseling, crisis intervention, and coping strategies to help first responders manage stress, prevent burnout, and maintain their mental health. First Responder Therapists often have specialized training in trauma and are familiar with the culture and challenges of emergency services.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a first responder therapist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a First Responder Therapist, you need a background in clinical mental health counseling or psychology, along with a relevant master's degree and professional licensure (e.g., LPC, LCSW, LMFT). Familiarity with trauma-informed care, crisis intervention models, and electronic health record (EHR) systems is typically required. Strong empathy, cultural competence, and the ability to build trust quickly are vital soft skills for this role. These skills and qualifications are essential to effectively support the unique mental health needs of first responders and ensure evidence-based, compassionate care.

What unique challenges do first responder therapists commonly face when supporting clients in high-stress professions?

First Responder Therapists often work with clients who regularly encounter traumatic events, which can lead to high levels of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue for the therapist. Navigating the culture of first responder organizations, where there may be stigma around seeking mental health support, also requires sensitivity and trust-building. Therapists in this role must be skilled at crisis intervention, managing confidentiality, and maintaining strong self-care practices to sustain their own well-being while providing effective support. Collaboration with peer support teams and ongoing professional development are crucial for success in this specialized field.

How to be a first responder therapist?

To become a first responder therapist, you typically need a master's or doctoral degree in mental health, counseling, or social work, along with specialized training in trauma and crisis intervention. Certification in emergency mental health or crisis response, along with experience working in high-stress environments, is often required. Licensing requirements vary by region but generally include supervised clinical hours and passing a licensing exam.
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First Responder Therapist jobs near you
Infographic showing various First Responder Therapist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,893 per year, or $27.4 per hour.

Peer Specialist-First Responder or Veteran

Rogers Behavioral Health

Oconomowoc, WI • On-site, Remote

$17.50 - $22.50/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted yesterday

Rogers Behavioral Health rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 49 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

747th of 888 rated healthcare providers

Job description

The peer specialist serves as an advocate for first responders, military service members and veterans who are navigating various aspects of life during and after service. They offer peer support, using their own experiences, training and insights to help group members overcome obstacles, facilitate recovery and build the resilience of persons in recovery to achieve their goals. The Fire Watch peer specialists help first responders, service members and veterans to address their physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual needs to facilitate and maintain wellness throughout the behavioral health recovery process.
The peer specialist will also be responsible for outreach activities, growing the program by making connections with the community. The peer specialist may support with organizing events that will lead to further visibility of the program.
Schedule: PRN (as needed/as available)
Job Duties & Responsibilities:
Provide peer support virtually.
  • Provide one-on-one and group peer support services to patients who are first responders, military service members and veterans in the virtual environment. Intentionally share personal recovery stories as appropriate to model coping techniques and recovery tools, provide hope, and support patients in changing patterns and behaviors.
  • Assist patients in navigating the virtual environment to ensure engagement with programming.
  • Advocate for the needs and rights of patients within the healthcare system, social services, and other relevant agencies.
  • Assist patients in accessing and navigating resources and services such as healthcare, housing assistance, employment support, education benefits, and legal aid.
  • In collaboration with the treatment team, provide support to patients experiencing crises, including mental health emergencies or housing instability.
  • Conduct outreach activities to raise awareness about first responder, military and veteran issues and available support services in the community.
  • Collaborate with other professionals, including mental health counselors, social workers, and medical providers, to ensure comprehensive care for patients.
  • Create an environment of respect for peers which honors individuals for taking charge of their own lives.
  • Demonstrate understanding of how trauma affects mental health and substance use disorder recovery, develop trauma-informed relationships, and support peers in obtaining appropriate resources for help.
  • Observe behavior that might indicate difficulty adapting or responding to treatment (e.g. missed sessions, trouble reducing risky/harmful coping strategies, harm to self or others, disruptive behavior) and report concerns to treatment team in a timely manner.
  • Encourage peers to focus on their strengths, exercise use of natural supports, develop their own recovery goals, and strengthen their valued roles within the community.

Provide support for addiction and mental health recovery to assigned patients consistent with the scope of employee's training and credentialing.
  • Interact with patients, conducting coordinated one-on-one sessions that facilitate individual goals to address psychosocial, intellectual, physical, or spiritual needs, as indicated by the treatment team.
  • Implement components of the patient's individualized, interdisciplinary treatment plan. Report and record patient's behaviors, interactions, responses to clinical interventions, and progress toward meeting the
  • treatment plan objectives
  • Understand and implement daily patient activities and collaborate with Fire Watch staff.
  • Maintain accurate and confidential records of interactions with patients and the services provided, in compliance with organizational policies and regulations.

Serve as a case manager for patients as assigned by treatment team.
  • Initiate and maintain collateral contacts as assigned by the treatment team to fulfill after-business-hour needs on behalf of individual patients.
  • Coordinate therapy planning and discharge planning as assigned by the treatment team. Support patient accountability for building components of their ongoing care plan to follow residential addiction treatment.

Performs work consistent with Rogers Principles, policies and procedures and department expectations.
Other duties as assigned.
Additional Job Description:
Qualifications:
  • First Responder or Veteran Status: Must have served in the military with an honorable discharge from military service.
  • Associates degree required, preferably in psychology or a related field.
  • Lived Experience: Have personal experience with overcoming challenges related to military or first responder service and navigating through those challenges. Preferred experience with meaningful family/friend relationships, social involvement in community groups, religious or civic organizations or veteran groups.
  • Peer Support Training: Completion of a peer support training program or certification required, preferably with a focus on veterans.
  • Demonstrated Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to establish rapport and build trust with fellow service members and Veterans.
  • Demonstrated Empathy and Compassion: Demonstrates empathy, compassion, and nonjudgmental attitude towards individuals facing difficulties.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge of Resources preferred: Familiarity with resources and services available to First Responders and Veterans, including government benefits, healthcare options, and community-based support programs

With a career at Rogers, you can look forward to a Total Rewards package of benefits, including:
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage for you and your family
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Employee share program
  • Life/disability insurance
  • Flex spending accounts
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Health and wellness program
  • Employee assistance program (EAP)

Through UnitedHealthcare, UMR and HealthSCOPE Benefits creates and publishes the Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Rogers Behavioral Health. To link to the Machine-Readable Files, please visit Transparency in Coverage (uhc.com)

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