St. John’s Riverside Hospital, a leader in Behavioral Health Services, is proud to announce a virtual substance use and addiction program for uniformed professionals (police, fire, EMTs, military, and veterans) with a focus on
specialized, culturally competent care for substance use or gambling disorders. Our counselors are specially trained to deliver tailored care that understands the unique experiences and challenges (those suffering trauma, PTSD, or who have high-stress professional roles) faced by those in the uniformed professions.

Key Components

• Collaboration with professionals familiar with first responder and military cultures.
• Evidence-based practices aimed at understanding trauma’s impact.
• Focus on keeping first responders working.
• Virtual individual therapy sessions tailored to address the addictions of the individual.
• Techniques may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and mindfulness practices.
• Focus on resilience, coping strategies, and recovery.
• Holistic approaches, including stress management, physical fitness, and nutritional counseling.
• Partnerships with local law enforcement, first responders, and veteran organizations for comprehensive support.

Our Goals

Reduce Stigma: Promote awareness and understanding of mental health issues within uniformed communities.
Enhance Access: Ensure that uniformed professionals have easy access to necessary substance use and addiction resources.
Foster Recovery: Support individuals in their journey toward wellness and resilience

Access

1. Call Marc Friedberg, Assistant Director of Outreach at 914-999-0398.
2. The patient is given an appointment for an initial virtual assessment. A TEAMS link will be sent for the patient to complete the assessment. Registration occurs during this assessment.
3. Any patient referred for a toxicology screen will present to St. John’s Occupational Medicine Department at 967 North Broadway.
4. A counselor makes a treatment recommendation and sends an email for the first session to occur virtually. The schedule is discussed and agreed upon by the counselor and participant.