Episode 43: Bart Wichowski - US Army Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, 20 year Law Enforcement Career, Mental Health Clinician

Welcome to I Will Hold Space For Your Darkness; a First Responder Mental Health Podcast hosted by Erin Jane.

A former Australian Police Officer and Detective, wife of an American Firefighter, previous crisis counsellor for a suicide prevention organization and current CISM trained, trauma informed and certified Life and Wellness Coach for First Responders, Emergency Services Members, Spouses and Loved Ones.

In this first episode for 2025, Erin speaks with Bart Wichowski, a United States Army Veteran, who served as an MP for 8 years and continued his policing career into positions with the Dept of Veteran Affairs, before landing with New Britain PD in CT. Since retiring from law enforcement, Bart has become a licensed mental health clinician, taking a special interest in treating trauma and PTSI in First Responders, Veterans and Active Duty Military members.

Bart tells Erin about his military service, his deployment to Iraq during the aftermath of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the duties he performed over there as a member of the Military Police, including the development of the Iraqi Police Force, CPP and joint operations with local forces. Bart also shares about an incident that occurred on December 27th, 2003 where he was wounded in action from an explosion, receiving the Purple Heart.

After his service, he became a federal law enforcement officer with the Department of Vet Affairs, but after 7.5 years, was after something more challenging, so he joined the New Britain PD in CT. Bart thoroughly enjoyed his time at this department, working as an FTO, joining the crisis negotiation team, as well as involvement in CIT and training co-ordination.

Bart maintained a strong interest in the mental health field throughout his career and had chosen to pursue his Masters. This enabled him to clearly see a gap in service when it came to police officers dealing with civilians experiencing mental health challenges, so he spearheaded and developed a Mental Health Unit for his PD, where he spent the last two years of his policing career.

He tells Erin about some of his own personal struggles with his mental health, including some suicidal ideation during a challenging period and the process of supporting his daughter through her own battles too, along with his wife.

Knowing how crucial it is for First Responders, Veterans and Active Duty Military Members to receive culturally competent care, after 20 years in Law Enforcement, Bart knew it was time to retire and go help this community in a different capacity.

He now provides clinical therapy services as an LPC-A with Headspace LLC and you can reach out to him professionally via his Psychology Today profile:⁠https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/bart-wichowski-wethersfield-ct/1279931⁠ or follow him on IG with the handle @bartwski258

This was such a lovely conversation to have! Bart is warm, open, engaging and I'm so glad he's in a position to be helping First Responders with their mental health, combining all his years of law enforcement and military service to truly understand this population well.

We both hope you enjoy listening to this episode!

Please feel free to reach out if you'd like a topic discussed, to be a guest or are interested in receiving coaching services from Erin Jane.

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