Are you a Police Officer, Firefighter, EMT, 911 dispatcher, Emergency room personnel, or a trained professional who are the first to respond in emergency situations? As a first responder, you are faced with traumatic experiences on a regular basis as a part of your job. Anxiety, stress, and a whole array of other emotions can build when you anticipate what the day could hold.
A first responder commits suicide every 18 hours in the United States.
Let’s face it, we live in difficult and confusing times, but you are still serving your community as a first responder. We all need help, even first responders need help, and it’s okay. I would be honored to work with you and hear your story. I’m here to talk real life and to help you find ways to deal with whatever you are going through in a better/healthier way.
The first step in this therapeutic process is establishing trust. As your therapist, I will work diligently to develop a trusting, healthy, and safe environment where you can tell your story with the utmost confidentiality. There is a stigma when it comes to therapy, but I am here to tell you that not getting the mental help you need prevents any healing/coping. I want to overcome this stigma and help you process and manage any traumatic situations that comes with being a first responder. Please read my “About ME” page to see my experience and training for working with this culture.
Reclaiming Hope Counseling LLC does not do Fit for Duty Evals, Return to Work Evals, Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs), Medical Retirement Evals, or any other assessments your department may request of you that would create a conflict of interest between helping you versus helping your city/department.
Thank you for your service!
Resources
Books
- The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk
- Smashing the Stigma and Changing the Culture in Emergency Services by Tania Glenn
- Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement: A Guide for Officer and Their Families by Kevin M. Gilmartin
Are you a spouse of a first responder?
Difficult situations from the daily responsibilities of a first responder can negatively affect you and your family. As the spouse of a first responder, you may be making sacrifices and giving more of your time taking care of everyone else. This lack of time for yourself is actually more damaging than you may realize. Below is a list of things that you may be experiencing.
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Loneliness
- Isolation
- Trouble sleeping
- Marital issues
- Loss of identity
As your therapist, we will develop a trusting relationship and work through any problems you may be facing. Let’s make time to understand your wants and needs as a spouse of a First Responder to build a better, healthier you!
Books
- I love a Cop: What Police families need to know by Ellen Kirschman
- I love a Fire Fighter: What the family needs to know by Ellen Kirschman
- Emotional survival for Law Enforcement: A Guide for Officers and Their Families by Kevin M. Gilmartin