My name is Josh Cederberg, and I am the sole creator of the Montana Peer Support Network Website. I am a married father of 2, currently practicing as an Occupational Therapist at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Montana. I obtained my Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Mary in 2023 and have since collected additional certification in Yoga and breath work therapies working to decrease pain and anxiety. This project initially started as an assignment to complete by degree but rapidly grew into a passion project of the heart. I do not have any direct family members who are part of the first responder community, but I have several close friends who act as family and are first responders.
With my daughter’s godmother being a firefighter and my best friend being a police officer in Billings, I have witnessed the effects of secondary trauma that the job takes. For this reason, I created this site to collect and distribute resources to first responders. Initially, the goal was solely focused on the Billings area, but as the site grew, so did the possibilities. Through the growth and expansion of this site, I hope to reach and provide help to any first responder in need. The effects of professional secondary trauma can be devastating, but improvements to Cognitive/Mental Resiliency as well as finding occupational balance, can we hope to lessen the burden and improve overall quality of life.