John Becknell, Ph.D
Dr. John Becknell is a community and organizational psychologist who has worked as an international consultant for first responders for the last 40 years. He is an accomplished retreat leader, facilitator, leadership advisor, teacher, change agent, and researcher. In addition to working in the United States, he has led successful programs throughout the Middle East and Central America.
John has consulted with hundreds of first responder agencies throughout his career. He co-created a successful sixty-hour leadership development program which more than 2,000 leaders have participated. Part of what has made John so successful is that he developed a unique approach to address the psycho-spiritual impact of first responder work that has a holistic focus on communal responsibility, wellbeing, resilience, and personal growth.
His ongoing work and research focuses on how to help first responders lead deeply satisfying lives. John has authored two books in addition to numerous articles in regional and national publications. John is a veteran and spent 18 years as a first responder prior to becoming a clinician.
John currently lives in Laguna Beach, California with his family. In his free time, he enjoys hiking with his family.