Joe Bickford, LPC - Candidate

Joe Bickford, Associate Director and Therapist, holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Oklahoma State University and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University. His prior experience includes serving as a law enforcement officer, General Manager and business leader in security services, Director of Operations for a rural community mental health system, leading statewide 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline mobile response teams, and supporting Oklahomans living with co-occurring mental health and intellectual/developmental disabilities as State Director – Crisis Residential services.

As a Tulsa Police Officer (2005–2012), Joe served as a Field Training Officer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, and Special Operations Team member. The leadership skills he developed through mentorship and field experience carried forward into the private sector, however after a decade in a highly competitive business environment, Joe recognized the desire to recommit his career to service.

As Associate Director for FRSS, Joe supports the agency’s mission to provide high-quality therapy services to first responders and contributes to training, crisis response and consultation.

Joe approaches therapy through a solution-focused, person-centered and strengths-based lens. He believes the problem is the problem—not the client—and that clients are the experts on their own experience. His intention is to meet clients where they are and support their ability to access innate capacities for growth, resilience, and change. His profession training includes current enrollment in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Level 1 and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Insomnia (CBT-I) trainings.

In his free time Joe enjoys spending time with his two sons, listening to live music, exercising, and disconnecting from electronics by being in nature. Joe also has extensive experience with and values opportunities for yoga and mindfulness meditation.

“Twenty years ago, I began a life of public service. Today, I have the privilege of drawing on that experience to support others who serve. My hope is that therapy not only strengthens first responders, but also helps build stronger partners, families, and communities.” ~Joe