Specialized Areas for Treatment
First Responders and Military:
I am CISM Certified and CIT trained and work closely with fire and police departments providing debriefing services when needed. I am also trained in working with active military and veterans and have received specialized training to work in this area and work with Star Behavioral Health through Purdue University. In addition I have trained with the Soldier Center near Fort Campbell Army Base in Tennessee.
My career is now focused primarily on "helping the helpers" in our community and I serve a large number of Military, Veteran, First Responders, other clinicians, nurses, and doctors. In these fields, work is incredibly stressful, unpredictable, and requires those in the field to cope with many factors that are not just "the job." In therapy we look at not only the situation that occurred but also at the public's perceptions, victims’ families, the media, and how critical incidents affect co-workers. Not to mention how it all impacts your home and social experiences outside of the workplace.
Throughout all of this, you are expected to perform in a professional manner, in spite of the ever-present threat of psychological and physical injury. Critical incidents, work stress, cumulative stress throughout one's life, burnout and compassion fatigue are common phenomenons to happen in police work, fire fighting, trauma/emergency medicine, paramedic, and emergency dispatch work, etc. Additionally, moral injury also can be a risk factor for developing traumatic stress reactions, which can include a tendency to isolate, experience irritability, low motivation, sleep disturbances, finding little pleasure in life, having intrusive thoughts, and developing an ongoing negative beliefs about oneself.
Ava is my sweet Labrador and she often accompanies me at debriefings when working with law enforcement and fire departments. She brings the "tail therapy," with her calmness and gentle nature.
Critical incidents and chronic stress can influence not only the First Responder and Military/Veterans, but also families, friendships, and caring for and connecting to children. The effects of chronic stress and/or traumatic stress often affect the individual's ability to effectively cope with daily life and work.
Typical events that may cause stress include:
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Any event where one’s personal safety is at risk
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Line of duty deaths and line of duty injuries
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Injury or death of a child
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Skewed media attention
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Multiple injuries or fatality accidents
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Suicide of a First Responder co-worker
Together we can work through what has happened. I cannot change what you have experienced, but hopefully therapy will help you change how you feel about the experiences and will bring back quality in your life and the ability to continue to do the very important work you have been trained to do.
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