Who We Are
Empowering America’s Front Line workers to take care of themselves too
Our Mission
Break the stigma around mental health in emergency responder culture and communities
Empower our community with training, education, and systemized support so no responder’s mental health is neglected
Help First Responders and their community access and apply the latest in trauma therapy to help affected workers heal
Who We Are
Who We Area
We pursue the most effective and efficient methodologies to mitigate the risk of emergency responders developing PTSD and other psychopathologies after critical incidences. Our team of retired officers and trauma experts help emergency responder agencies design and implement Peer Support programs and train Peer Support officers. These programs and officers help the department build a consistent, clear, and culturally competent network of mental health support within their own community.
Additionally, these Peer Support officers are trained to use EMDR early interventions after a critical incident, both with individuals and in a group format. Currently, VCRW in partnership with Professor Paul Miller M.D. and Derek Farrell are training responders to use the ASAP, Acute Stress Adaptive Protocol, an EMDR early intervention specifically designed for emergency responders.
We conduct this research and offer group therapy, Peer Support training, individual therapy and other services at our Center in Colchester, VT. As part of our Peer Support service to our Vermont First Responder Community, we have specialists available and on call 24/7 to support organizations and municipalities for critical incidents.
As we look to help other states create more support for First Responder mental health, we are committed to partnering with as many agencies and First Responder supporters as possible. The VCRW trauma experts and Peer Support Specialists travel nationally and internationally to provide training and help organizations establish the mental health support system they need to cope with the critical incidents in their community. We recognize the urgent nature of this work in the wake of increasing mass shootings, natural disasters, and suicides.
Meet the VCRW Leaders
Meet the Team of Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Peer Support Specialists, and Trauma Specialists at the heart of the Vermont Center for Responder Wellness
Sonny Provetto
Licensed EMDR Consultant
Vermont State Police (Ret.)
Educator | Trainer | EMDR Therapist Guest Speaker | Lecturer on PTSD
As a former police officer and a trauma-focused therapist, my goal is to help you integrate these experiences into who you are, so you can live a happy, healthy, and meaningful life.
While we can not change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life.
By applying complementary therapy approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling life.
In my practice, I specialize in treating the multi-faceted, often complementary, fields of stress and trauma. As a private practitioner, I strive to personalize the therapy of my clients to be pertinent to their particular needs for optimum support and growth. If you are looking for critical support and guidance through a challenging situation, or you are just ready to move in a new direction in your life, I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.
— Sonny Provetto
Who We Area
Who We Serve
First Responders are disproportionately affected by PTSD, anxiety, and depression as they encounter emotionally-distressing situations regularly.
Our every day heroes; Police Officers, Firefighters, EMTs, emergency responders, and other healthcare workers who respond to crisis, need the mental tools to keep themselves calm and strong on the front lines.
We seek to equip all emergency responders with the mental toolkit, resources, and support networks they need to manage the persistent mental load that defines the nature of responder work. From First Responder to last responder, we believe that by empowering responders, we help everyone.
Together we will work to deter long-standing negative behavior patterns or perceptions that may be holding a member back from experiencing a more meaningful life both on and off the job.
Take A Look Behind the Scenes
End First Responder BurnOut
Connect with Our Support Team Today
Research now shows the broad impact responding to crisis can have on our everyday heroes.
As we examine the impact of frontline service, we see consistent patterns and stigmas for those who are brave enough to put the needs of others before their own on a daily basis.
Our society would not function without the strength and commitment of First Responders, but often times their own needs as a person are not addressed after critical incident trauma.
It is counterintuitive to believe that one of our most vulnerable populations is the group of dedicated men and women who always offer their services first, and it’s essential that we acknowledge the toll trauma can take on them, too.
VCRW is proud to be offering Peer-to-Peer Support to police officers and bringing the range of our training and resources to other groups of First Responders: emergency medical personnel, Firefighters, social workers, 911 operators, and even to the teams fighting overseas in the Ukrainian war effort.
Get Involved
There are many ways to support our First Responders and break the stigma around mental health