Thomas Bender

My journey to becoming a therapist began at a young age when my parents became foster parents to some troubled teens. That experience lit a spark in me. I later earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social work. From there, I worked in an in-home family therapy program for about 14 years, connecting with families in their own spaces. After that, I took on the role of director of crisis intervention for a county in Pennsylvania. During that time, I also served as an associate pastor at my church and began supporting police and first responders—training them to navigate mental health crises and helping them process the trauma they encounter in their work. Through those experiences, I trained as a SWAT negotiator and became the clinical director for critical incident stress management across six counties. As I’ve grown in my career, what I love most is watching people discover their path to healing—it’s why I do this.

My therapy style is relaxed and warm, with a sprinkle of humor to make the journey feel lighter and more human. While I offer guidance and direction to help you heal, I follow your lead, building a relationship that feels safe and tailored to you. I specialize in Trauma treatment.

In our first session, we’ll get to know each other a bit. I’ll listen to what you’re all about, and we’ll figure out where you want to head and a rough map to get there. You can share what you need, what you’re hoping for, and walk away with a fresh spark of hope for what’s ahead.