About Dr. Pytal

Dr. Anastasia Pytal, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist and the founder of the First Responders Resilience Center. Her area of professional interest and expertise is working with law enforcement professionals and their loved ones on issues pertaining to trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and work-related stress.

Through patient-therapist collaboration, Dr. Pytal works with clients to first explore a problem and understand its origin, and then she teaches them practical skills they can use outside therapy to live more productive and satisfying lives.

She specializes in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, an integrative approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. She also provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS), evidenced-based and action-oriented therapies targeted to the unique needs of first responders. Dr. Pytal has received specialized training in Critical Incident Stress Management for Emergency Services from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. As both a former first responder and a psychologist, she has a multifaceted perspective of the impact that critical incidents have on individuals.

Speaker, Trainer, Workshop Facilitator

A nationally known speaker, trainer, and workshop facilitator, Dr. Pytal has addressed municipal, county, and federal law enforcement agencies as well as non-profit organizations, labor unions, and professional associations. She volunteers with the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Team and as a Disaster Relief Crisis Counselor with the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health Services, Disaster and Terrorism Branch.

Dr. Pytal holds a Doctor of Psychology and Master’s Degree from The American School of Professional Psychology, Washington, DC at Argosy University, and has earned the distinction of Diplomate in Police Psychology from the Society of Police and Criminal Psychology. She completed a one-year American Psychological Association accredited doctoral internship at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in Morris Plains, N.J. Her post-doctoral work was completed at the Metropolitan Police Employee Assistance Program in Washington, D.C., where she worked with officers, officials, and family members.

Professional Affiliations

International Association of Chiefs of Police – Police Psychological Services Section
Society for Police and Criminal Psychology
American Psychological Association-Division 18
New Jersey Psychological Association
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association

Licensure/Certifications

New Jersey # 5288
New York # 020326
Commonwealth of Virginia # 0810004880
Washington, DC # 1000880 (inactive)
Maryland # 05265 (inactive)
Diplomate in Police Psychology-Society for Police and Criminal Psychology
National Register Health Service Psychologist # 54130