Police. Firefighters. Paramedics.
Different uniforms, same burden - resilience rebuilt here
Specializing in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
& Trauma-Informed Care for First Responders
Welcome to Peace of Mind CBT
Led by Alison Pereira, MA, RP — a Registered Psychotherapist with over 20 years’ experience specializing in trauma, stress injury, and first responder wellness.
Advanced trauma training in CPT, TF-CBT, DBT, and Reconsolidation Therapy™, combining science-based methods with genuine compassion.
Trusted by first responder organizations, including Burlington and Oakville Fire Services, to develop proactive resiliency and PTSD prevention programs.
Highly qualified and continuously advancing, with postgraduate certifications from McGill, McMaster, and Yorkville Universities and ongoing registration as an Associate Psychologist (CPO).
Evidence-based and relationship-driven care, focused on safety, collaboration, and restoring resilience for individuals, couples, and families.
Care for First Responders and the People Who Support Them
Who we’re here for:
Individuals
Compassionate support that empowers healing and resilience
Build resilience and coping strategies for high-stress situations
Process trauma, critical incidents, and the emotional weight of service
Access confidential, stigma-free support designed for first responders
Couples
Strengthening Relationships Under Pressure
Navigate the unique stress of shift work
and trauma together
Improve communication and rebuild trust
Strengthen relationships under pressure
Families
Support for the Whole Family
Manage the ripple effects of stress and long hours at home
Foster resilience and stability for the whole household
Build stronger family connections through support
Children
Helping Children Feel Seen and Supported
Create a safe space for kids to express themselves
Provide tools to cope with worry, confusion, or stress
Help children feel supported and understood
What is CBT and Trauma Therapy?
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach that helps you understand how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours influence one another. With a trained clinician, you learn practical skills, like reframing unhelpful thinking, problem-solving, and gradual exposure to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress in day-to-day life. Trauma therapy focuses specifically on the impact of distressing experiences. In a safe, paced, and collaborative space, we work to calm the nervous system, process memories, and relieve symptoms such as hypervigilance, avoidance, and intrusive thoughts. Depending on your needs, your therapist may draw from trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, and grounding or somatic techniques. At Peace of Mind CBT, we tailor care to your goals so you can build resilience, restore a sense of safety, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
How Can First Responders Benefit from CBT and Trauma Therapy?
Trauma Therapy and CBT helps
CBT and trauma therapy can help a wide range of people, whether you’re navigating everyday stress or healing from difficult experiences. At Peace of Mind CBT, we tailor care for first responders and their goals so they can learn practical skills, calm the nervous system, and move forward with greater stability and confidence.
Anxiety & Stress: Worry, overthinking, panic, social anxiety, performance stress.
Depression & Low Mood: Loss of motivation, negative self-talk, withdrawal from activities.
Trauma & PTSD: Intrusive memories, hypervigilance, avoidance, shame, or guilt after distressing events.
Frontline Pressure: Exposure to critical incidents, compassion fatigue, and burnout.
Obsessive–Compulsive Concerns: Unwanted thoughts, rituals, checking, or reassurance cycles.
Phobias & Health/Somatic Anxiety: Specific fears, medical/health-related worries, body-based anxiety.
Sleep & Lifestyle Challenges: Insomnia, irritability, difficulty winding down.
Life Transitions & Grief: Relationship changes, workplace stress, loss, and adjustment.
If you’re feeling stuck in unhelpful patterns or want tools that work in daily life, CBT and trauma-informed care can help. Reach out to start a plan that fits you.
Peace of Mind CBT services first responders and members of their families, including police, fire departments, and paramedic services in Hamilton, Niagara, Halton, and across the Greater Toronto Area.
Not a First Responder? We are here for our community.
At Peace of Mind CBT in Burlington, we understand that life’s challenges look different for everyone, and no one should face them alone. We also provide support to the community. Our approach is rooted in compassion and evidence-based CBT, helping clients build resilience, find balance, and regain a sense of control. Whether you’re coping with trauma, anxiety, depression, or relationship challenges, we create a safe and supportive space where your unique story is valued and where meaningful, lasting change can begin.
Children
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Youth
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Young Adults
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Couples
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Families
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LGBTQ+
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Individuals
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Children ~ Youth ~ Young Adults ~ Couples ~ Families ~ LGBTQ+ ~ Individuals ~
“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”
— Brené Brown
Meet the Founder of Peace of Mind CBT
Alison Pereira is a Psychotherapist and CBT clinician with over 25 years of experience in trauma-informed care. As a young recruit, she participated directly in the police hiring process and attended the Ontario Police College (OPC).
Focus of Care
Trauma-focused psychotherapy for first responders, including police, firefighters, and paramedics
Support for victims of crime, sexual assault, and interpersonal violence
Treatment of operational stress injuries and promotion of long-term resiliency
Building psychological fitness in recruits and early-career officers through proactive care
Compassionate, evidence-based therapy integrating CPT, TF-CBT, DBT, and mindfulness
Specialized Training
PTSD Neuroplasticity
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) for trauma recovery
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for emotional regulation
Reconsolidation Therapy™ Certification (McGill University) for deep trauma resolution
FBINAA First Responder Resiliency Program (Boots on the Ground) and Trauma Counselling for Front Line Workers Certificate (2025)
Certified Grief-Informed Professional (CGP) designation and Gottman Method Level 2 training for relationship and loss recovery
Peace of Mind CBT Team
Focus of Care
PTSD, Resiliency, Anxiety (general and performance) and Depression, Physical Injury Trauma, Self-Confidence and Esteem, Pain
Chantal Cote
Specialized Training
SFBT, Trauma Approach, Stress Resiliency, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), CBT, CPT, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, Mind-Body approach
Think “I can, and I will.”
Specialized Training
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (TF-CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), PTSD, Sexual and Intergenerational Trauma, Complex and Prolonged Grief, Death & Dying, Sexuality, Personality Disorders and the Biopsychosocial Model of Addiction.
Focus of Care
First responders, PTSD, Intergenerational Trauma, Grief and Loss, Anxiety and Depression, Sexuality, Intimacy, Anger and Interpersonal Relationship Issues.
Crystal Natolino
Specialized Training
Certified yoga therapy for depression & anxiety, integrating breathwork, movement, and mindfulness.
Focus of Care
Trauma and PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, emotional regulation, resiliency and mindset strengthening, self-esteem, and life transitions
Lauryn Bruzzese
“You are stronger than the thoughts that tell you otherwise.”
Focus of Care
River is training with Canine Support Services and McCann Professional Dog Training to become a therapy dog. His gentle presence and kind eyes have already made him a client favourite in the office. Once certified, River will help create a grounding, soothing environment where clients can feel at ease, supported, and understood—sometimes without a single word spoken.
River
Our Approach
A common challenge in seeking therapy as a first responder is finding a culturally competent mental health professional. Many first responders have been challenged by spending too much time explaining the logistics of their work (i.e., how the schedule works, ranks, and job duties). It can be frustrating and challenging to find a provider who can hear about the calls that you have been on and continue to be grounded and hold space for you. A culturally competent therapist can make a dramatic difference in your therapeutic experience. Meeting someone who knows and understands shift work and how the biological changes that occur during shift work.
A first responder needs to be heard and feel safe. At Peace of Mind CBT we understand the intense experiences and exposure to danger and trauma. Sometimes dark humour is beneficial, and provide support to the challenges of transitioning from work to home. Our personalized approach will allow you to get started on your goals while feeling confident that your provider knows your job's unique aspects and culture.
At Peace of Mind CBT, we tailor our approaches to the unique experiences of being on the front lines.
PTSD
Trauma-Informed Care
CBT
Trauma-Informed Grief
Reconsolidation Therapy
Coffee Corner with a Therapist
Taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, which is why Peace of Mind CBT created Coffee Corner with a Therapist. In this unique, relaxed space, conversations with a therapist feel as natural as sitting down over coffee. This one-of-a-kind approach helps break down barriers, making support more accessible, less formal, and stigma-free. It’s part of our commitment to creating compassionate, approachable care that meets you where you are.
Relaxed & Welcoming – A comfortable space where conversations feel natural, not clinical.
Breaks Down Barriers – Makes it easier to talk about mental health without stigma or pressure.
Builds Connection – Encourages trust and rapport between clients and therapists in an approachable way.
Proactive Support – Offers a safe, early-entry point to explore challenges before they grow bigger.
Inclusive for All – Designed to support first responders, families, youth, couples, and diverse communities.
Start the Conversation
You don’t have to carry this alone. Reach out to us with questions or to schedule your confidential session and start your journey to healing, calmness, and a renewed sense of self.
