Dr. Pytal is a licensed psychologist and the founder of the First Responders Resilience Center. She has earned the distinction of Diplomate in Police Psychology from the Society of Police and Criminal Psychology.  She specializes in providing and is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).  She also provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS).  Her area of professional interest and expertise is working with police officers and their loved ones on issues pertaining to trauma, depression, relationship issues, and work-related stress. She volunteers with the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Team and as a Disaster Relief Crisis Counselor by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health Services, Disaster and Terrorism Branch.

Education/Advanced Training
Dr. Pytal holds a PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) and Master’s Degree from The American School of Professional Psychology/ Washington, DC at Argosy University (accredited by the American Psychological Association). She completed a one-year American Psychological Association accredited doctoral internship at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in Morris Plains, NJ. Her post-doctoral work was completed at the Metropolitan Police Employee Assistance Program in Washington, DC where she worked with officers, officials, and family members coping with stressors on and off the job.

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

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