Empowering First Responders with Compassionate Therapy Tailored to Your Needs

At Guiding Light Behavioral Health, we understand the intense challenges emergency workers face daily. Our expert therapists provide personalized support, proven techniques, and practical tools to help you overcome trauma, relieve stress, and build lasting resilience. Your mental well-being matters.

You Care for Others—Now Let Us Care for You

Your dedication to helping others and keeping your community safe is invaluable.

With rigorous training, tough decisions, and high-stress situations, your job’s demands are unlike any other. But you don’t have to face them alone.

Guiding Light Behavioral Health is here to support you through the trauma, stress, and emotional burdens that come with your role, offering tailored care to help you find balance and strength.

Specialized Therapy to Help You Overcome Challenges and Build Resilience

Our tailored therapy for first responders is designed to help you navigate trauma, manage stress, and prevent Emergency Responder Exhaustion Syndrome.

We provide specialized therapy to help you manage trauma, stress, and prevent things like Emergency Responder Exhaustion Syndrome. We multiple approaches:

Private, Individual Therapy: Your personal sessions are confidential and separate from any collaboration with your department, ensuring a safe, judgment-free space where your privacy is protected.
Collaborative Department Support: We work closely with department staff to develop Behavioral Health Assistance Programs based on national best practices, focusing on comprehensive care without compromising your privacy.

Our staff is culturally competent and specialized for first-responder and emergency worker needs.

Because these feelings and experiences are not things that “just come with the job.”

Experienced Therapists Who Understand Your World

Feel free to share your experiences, thoughts, and concerns openly—you’re in a private, judgement-free space. We specialize in behavioral health for first responders, emergency workers, and their families, including:

Led by Sarah Mildrum, LCSW, one of Maine’s few certified Emergency Responder and Public Safety Clinicians, our team’s deep understanding of high-stress environments enables us to provide compassionate, tailored support for you and your loved ones.

Our services address common behavioral health challenges experienced by first responders, including:

Flashbacks or replaying events repeatedly
Feeling jumpy, agitated, or triggered by specific sounds or situations
Intrusive, disturbing thoughts, including suicidal ideation
Difficulty controlling emotions, like frequent yelling or anger
Struggles expressing thoughts, leading to isolation
Anxiety, depression, or persistent worry

Sleep problems, like trouble falling or staying asleep
Concentration difficulties
Feeling like a “burden” to others or needing to “push through”
Substance use for coping
Difficulty balancing work-life demands
Emergency Responder Exhaustion Syndrome"

Our schedule is flexible to accommodate shift work, ensuring you can access support at times that work best for you.

Tailored Mental Health Services Specifically for First Responders in Maine

Trauma Therapy for First Responders

Individual and Couples Intensives

Acute Stress Adaptive Protocol (ASAP)

Wellness Checks

Post Critical Incident Consultation (PCIC)

Peer Support Team Development and Clinical Integration

Behavioral Health Assistance Programs for Organizations & Concierge Services for Individuals

Outdoor Recreational Programs

Live-In Fire Student Support Services

In Service or After Hours Workshops

Reaching Out is a Sign of Strength for Every First Responder

Therapy provides a path to healing and resilience.

We offer specialized support to help you overcome challenges and prevent Emergency Responder Exhaustion Syndrome. If your work is affecting your mental health, reach out now.

Regain balance and well-being with our in-person and virtual services across Maine, accommodating your schedule.

If you’re outside Maine, consider traveling to receive care.