John Becker Jr. has experience as a police officer, clinician, outreach professional, program developer and director. John also possesses a personal understanding of substance abuse among first responders, having overcome addiction in his own life. He is the founder of Guardian Recovery Services, a private practice that provides psychotherapy to First Responders struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues. John holds a B.S. in Behavioral Health Counseling and a master’s degree in Human Services and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). While in law enforcement, John worked as a patrolman, patrol Sergeant and Detective Sergeant. He served as his department’s lead criminal investigator. John spent ten years as a member of the Moreland Area Emergency Response Team (SWAT) and was sworn as a Special County Detective for the purpose of Narcotics Investigations. John has investigated all types of criminal activity including narcotics violations, theft, assault, sexual assault, bank robbery and homicide.

John volunteers as the Clinical Director of the Montgomery County (PA) Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team and certified by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) for individual and group interventions. John is a Certified Trauma Responder (CTR) through the Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists (ATSS), and currently serves as a board member for the organization. John has experience in treating both personal and work-related trauma and utilizes the Trauma Resiliency – Protocol (TR-P) and the Emotions Management Process (EMP) as part of his approach to trauma treatment. Additionally, John is recognized as a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) and Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) by the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA).

John is a Member of the International Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA) and serves as Vice-President on the Executive Board of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of EAPA. He has also obtained Certification as an Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CAADC) through the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB). John is an associate member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the National Police Suicide Foundation. John regularly provides training, education and consultation to local, state and federal agencies and organizations throughout the United States, on topics such as stress, trauma, suicide, and addiction, as they relate to First Responders.