top of page
sf chronicle.jpg

First Responders

You show up for others, and I show up for you. I offer confidential therapy services designed to support first responders and anyone else navigating life's toughest moments. Whether you're dealing with stress, trauma, burnout, or simply the weight of being on the front lines, my services are here to help you process, heal, and build the skills you need to stay strong, on and off duty. 

​

Using a combination of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, existentialism, and narrative therapy, I can help you address the unique challenges of your profession.

Unique Challenges First Responders Face

​Extreme Occupational Trauma and Stress

First responders are exposed to a sheer number of traumatic events, high job hazards (including injuries and fatalities), and hostile work environments (e.g., extreme heat, erratic sleep patterns), which can alter physiological stress responses.

Significant Barriers to Seeking Care

Major barriers include stigma (experienced by about 33.1%), fear that seeking help will negatively impact their career, concerns about confidentiality, lack of knowledge on where to get help, and difficulty scheduling appointments.

​Prolonged Exposure and Recovery Difficulty

First responders often work long, extended shifts (24 to 72 hours), face repeated traumas, and may not have enough time between shifts to recover, increasing their overall risk for trauma exposure over long careers (often 30+ years).

Strong Culture of Self-Reliance

The professional culture strongly emphasizes strength and self-reliance, leading to a perception that mental health problems are a sign of vulnerability or weakness, which is a major driver of social stigma.

Lewis-Shroeder et al., 2018; Jones et al., 2019; Horan et al., 2021

Workshop Topics

I offer on-site educational workshops for first responders and their families in addition to individual therapy services. Below are some examples of topics for these workshops. These can also be tailored to your department's specific training needs and time constraints. Please reach out with any questions regarding these workshops.

  • A Psychoeducational Overview on the Mental Health of First Responders

  • The Cortisol Blueprint: Understanding how chronic stress impacts heart health, weight, and long-term physical performance 

  • Hardwired for High Alert: Managing hypervigilance so you can sleep when the radio is off

  • Sleep Science for the 24-Hour Shift: Combatting chronic fatigue and hypervigilance in the dorms

  • The Adrenaline Hangover: Practical tools for the 48 hours post-critical incident

  • Behind the Badge: Maintaining your identity and mental health outside of your uniform

  • The Forensic Bridge: Trauma-informed interviewing techniques 

  • Beyond the Statement: Building rapport and safety in sexual assault investigations 

  • The Smallest Witnesses: A trauma-informed approach to child victim interviews

  • Situational Awareness at Home: Transitioning from ‘patrol mode’ to ‘parent/partner mode’ 

  • Leading Through Crisis: A workshop for sergeants, captains, and chiefs on supporting staff 

  • Living with a Hero: Understanding the physiological impact of the job on your loved one

  • The "Work Brain" vs. "Home Brain": A kid-friendly look at why Mom or Dad might seem "serious" or tired after a shift and how to help them "plug back in" to family time

  • Building Your Own Shield: Simple tools for kids to manage their own worries when they hear sirens or know a parent is on a "big call"

bottom of page