John’s experience as a police officer, clinician, program director and peer gives him the total understanding of substance abuse and mental health challenges that our nation’s first responders face today.
John is the founder of Guardian Recovery Services, a private practice that provides counseling to First Responders. John holds a B.S. in Behavioral Health Counseling and a master’s degree in Human Services and he is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
John’s law enforcement career included patrol, patrol sergeant and detective sergeant. He served as his department’s lead criminal investigator and spent ten years as a member of the Moreland Area Emergency Response Team (SWAT). He is the Clinical Director of the Montgomery County (PA) Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) for individual and group interventions, a Certified Trauma Responder (CTR) through the Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists (ATSS) and currently serves as a board member. Additionally, John is recognized as a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) and Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) by the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA). He holds an Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CAADC) through the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB). John is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the National Police Suicide Foundation.