Rachael Peterson MS LPCC LADC CCTP

I have worked collectively for 25 years in public safety, crisis work, training and mental health. During my 16 years in law enforcement (LE) my experiences included being a Sergeant, SWAT Team Leader, Negotiator, Critical Incident Facilitator and Trainer.  My experience in LE has led me to my passion in how trauma impacts our first responders. I have used my own experience as a first responder to transcend into my current role of a mental health and chemical health therapist and consultant working with all first responders - police, fire, military, dispatchers, front line workers and corrections officers. I am able to be a conduit of change, sharing the journey with those who face the everyday traumas they endure. We are never alone. I am here to be a safe place and safe person to share and divide your pain. I am here to honor your experiences, share your success and build your resilience.

As a therapist and consultant who has this expertise working specifically with first responders and their experiences, I have assisted clients who suffer from traumatic events and helped them to overcome the symptoms which arise after such events. My extensive work with over 18 agencies has allowed me to create organizational changes in wellness for agencies and aided the families of first responders. Over the past 25 years I have provided critical incident management, crisis response, peer support development, training on a variety of topics and have created an expertise in assisting individuals and organizations to use best practices to care for their employees.  I’m a dual-licensed therapist licensed to work with people experiencing a mental illness and a substance abuse problem simultaneously. My modalities stem from trauma-focused approaches using several types of interventions.

I believe in a holistic approach to therapy and use ART, cognitive-behavioral, EMDR, person-centered and systems-based interventions to treat the whole person. My practice centers around evidence-based, best practice interventions to help my clients realize and reach their full potential. I approach therapy as a partnership, working together to help you achieve your therapeutic goals. This can only be done through mutual trust, respect and commitment.

We all have unique experiences that help mold who we are today – affecting our emotional, physical and mental health. Gaining insight into our past events, relationships, behaviors and beliefs is the first step in developing tools to recover from traumatic experiences, depression, anxiety, addiction, etc.

credentials

  • Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

  • Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADC)

  • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)

  • Accelerated Resolution Therapy Trained (ART)

  • Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Trained Clinician

  • Board Certified Supervisor under Minnesota Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT)

Education

  • Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a specialty in Addictions (Walden University)
    Note: This program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and meets the recognized standard of excellence in professional counseling education.

  • Bachelor of Science degrees in Psychology and Sociology, with a minor in Coaching (Luther College, Decorah, Iowa)

Professional Experience

Mental Health

I am a dual-licensed therapist specializing in the treatment of first responders, individuals suffering from trauma, addiction, anxiety and depression. I provide services such as “mental health check-up from the neck ups”, diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders and chemical health assessments.

  • My work experiences include:

    • Psychological Director for Magnus Veterans Foundation

    • Clinical Director of Wellness Unit for a Sheriff’s Office

    • Consultant to Police and Fire agencies on a variety of topics 

    • Clinical Supervisor for a Women’s Treatment Center

    • Crisis Therapist 

    • Minnesota Crisis Intervention Trainer for licensed peace officers

    • Mental Health Therapist with experience working in a variety of treatment settings, private practice, crisis team, provider to multiple first responder agencies

    • Alcohol and Chemical Dependency Counselor

    • Co-creator of a PTSD Support Group for Police Officers 

    • Speaker at Trauma and Crisis Conference (2018), DARE Conference (2019), Backing the Blue Line Conference (2021)

  • Affiliations

    • Apple Valley Police Department

    • Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)

    • Crystal Police Department

    • Columbia Heights Police and Fire Departments

    • Eden Prairie Police and Fire Departments

    • Edina Police Department

    • Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office

    • Jordan Police Department

    • Maplewood Police and Fire Departments

    • Minneapolis Police Department

    • Minnetonka Police Department

    • MN CIT

    • Oakdale Fire Department

    • Optum EAP for MNFIRE

    • Provicta

    • Quantico Police Training Instructor

    • Sand Creek EAP

    • South Lake Police Department

    • St. Paul Police Department

    • Victoria Fire Department

    • West Hennepin Public Safety

    • West Metro Fire Department

Police Officer

I was a police officer for 16 years prior to becoming a therapist and it was in this role of serving others that I found my way of wanting to help others in a more individualized way. I gained invaluable experience assisting individuals in crisis as a Critical Incident Facilitator, Sargent, Field Training Officer and Team Leader for Negotiations of SWAT. Now I have the privilege of being the mental health provider for several police and fire departments and provide support to those helping others in crisis.

I was a conduit to creating a Peer Support Team to assist officers who had experienced significant trauma within their line of duty and was an Emergency Response volunteer.  I have also served as a Hospice Volunteer, whom has held the hands of individuals passing with no loved one present.

special interests

  • Running and biking (Ironman qualifier, completed 2 half Ironmans)

  • Kayaking

  • Traveling

  • Camping

  • Meditation

  • Spending time with my wife, friends and family

“Pain shared is pain divided.”
— Unknown