Counseling for First Responders

There’s nothing natural about seeing blood, gore, violence, death, destruction, and malevolence every day. Yet, some of us don’t just adapt but thrive in such circumstances. High-pressure situations bring adrenaline, mental clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose. Alert and completely tuned in, in these moments we’re able to handle anything life throws at us. We become powerful, important, and needed.

But all of this comes at a cost. What comes up must come down. And while the highs are glorified, the lows are often ignored, shamed, and even exploited.

Some of the common “lows” that come with first responder work are:

• We see ourselves as failures when expectations aren’t met, even if we know the expectations aren’t reasonable.

• Total exhaustion that takes over physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

• Feeling haunted by certain events, images, or experiences that we can’t shake off.

• Strained relationships with family, friends, and partners.

• Withdrawing from loved ones and feeling disconnected from society.

All of our therapists have roots in the forensic world. We’ve worked closely with state and federal law enforcement and have served some of the most challenging populations, including providing sex offense-specific treatment for contact, non-contact, and internet offenders. We understand that once you see something, you can’t unsee it. And so we welcome and appreciate dark humor as an evidence-based coping strategy for reducing stress and processing disturbing realities.

Common problems that get addressed in first responder counseling are:

• Stress, including acute stress, general stress, cumulative stress, and post-traumatic stress.

• Vicarious trauma and secondary trauma from being exposed to disturbing materials.

• Depression, chronic low mood, hopelessness, irritability.

• Anxiety, restlessness, being on edge, and unable to “turn off.”

• Difficulty focusing or thinking clearly.

• Low energy, having a hard time completing simple tasks.

• Isolation and loneliness, feeling disconnected and unable to relate to other people.

• Relationship challenges.

• Sleep problems, including trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, and nightmares.

• Sexual problems, including excessive porn use.

• Work/life balance

• Anger management

• Chronic feelings of inadequacy

• Moral injury

• Lost sense of identity, meaning, and purpose