History of Post Trauma Resources

In 1982, Lawrence H. Bergmann, Ph.D. founded Post Trauma Resources when the Veterans’ Administration awarded him a contract to provide mental health services to Vietnam veterans and their families. In 1985, the contract provider program ended, and Post Trauma Resources expanded its services to non-combat survivors. During the next few years, contracts and referral agreements were signed with local solicitors and victim service agencies to provide mental health services to survivors of crime. Public safety departments (law enforcement, fire service, corrections, and emergency medical services) began requesting assistance after major disasters and other incidents (police shootings, child victimizations, etc.). As a result, the staff of Post Trauma Resources developed innovative, ethical approaches for trauma response and humanitarian assistance. In 1998, the U.S. Department of Justice recognized Post Trauma Resources, making it the only private firm in the U.S. to be included in its “promising practices” agenda for the next century.

Post Trauma Resources has gained national exposure through these innovations, and Dr. Bergmann and other members of the Post Trauma Resources staff have trained personnel throughout the U.S., South America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. Public sector clients have included the Employee Assistance Professionals Association, Family Service America, National Academy of Corrections, National Fire Prevention Association. Corporate clients have included Amoco, USAirways, Monsanto, Club Car, Colonial Pipeline, Kimberly Clark and more than one hundred other state and national organizations. Professional presentations have been made to the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (five occasions), American Correctional Association, Employee Assistance Professional Association, Family Service Biennial, National Safety Council, National Fire Protection Association, International Society of Fire Service Instructors as well as numerous regional and local groups. Members of the staff have also written more than twenty-five publications in the area of post-trauma response.

After decades of faithful support and service to survivors and organizations throughout the world, Dr. Bergmann embarked on his latest adventure in 2012 — a well-earned retirement.