First Responders

I am not a doctor — I do not prescribe medications or do assessments of any kind. I am not here to diagnose you, and I do not share your information, progress notes, or treatment information with anyone.

When you come to session, I will teach you about First Responder Exhaustion Syndrome, how to care for your nervous system, skills for calming your body and mind, and how to communicate with friends and family who may not understand the things you've experienced.

Traumatic memories (sounds, smells, sensations in the body) are like cookies backed up in a computer that require "dumping" — and the interventions I've been trained in help you do exactly this.

We don't have to talk extensively about childhood, describe the critical calls, or spend months/years "on the couch." In fact, you don't really even have to talk. Your brain knows how to heal and I can help.

I do not perform:

Fit for duty evaluations
FMLA paperwork
Light duty / modified duty paperwork
Return to work evaluations
Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs)
Medical disability / retirement evaluations
Any assessments creating a conflict of interest between helping you vs. your department

Wellness Visits

This visit is intended to:

Help increase knowledge about mental health issues and stressors specific to first responders
Provide a confidential setting in which to discuss these concerns
Reduce stigma about mental health issues specific to first responders
Increase exposure and comfort with mental health professionals
Identify areas of concern and match with possible coping skills
Provide referrals to resources for ongoing services if needed

This is NOT:

A Fit for Duty evaluation
An Independent Medical Evaluation (IME)
Any other type of formal evaluation
Psychotherapy

You will not be given any diagnosis and your visit note will be brief and will not be shared with anyone. You have a right to request this note at any time. No treatment plan will be created, no medical record will be created, and no psychotherapy interventions will be used.

Wellness visits are conducted for the participant, NOT the department.

Information discussed during this visit will be kept confidential, except as required by law (mandated reporting) or if there is a risk of harm to yourself or others.

Participants who are seen for wellness visits may choose to become long-term clients. They may also choose to ask for referrals for another clinician who can provide psychotherapy/long-term counseling.

Post-Critical Visit

Purpose of Visit

This visit is intended to identify potential issues following a critical incident and to determine if you have any needs, questions, or concerns.

As the participant, you have the right to be involved in all decision making to meet your needs. Your participation in this visit is entirely voluntary. You may choose to decline or withdraw at any time without consequence.

You may need several post-critical sessions following an event before returning to full duty. Your department will cover as many of these as you need.

What if I need ongoing treatment?

If it is determined that you could benefit from psychotherapy services following your post-critical session, referrals can be made to find someone who is a good fit. Please discuss this with your clinician.

Cost of Visits

Your department is covering the cost of this visit and no out of pocket expenses are associated with it. If you require more post-critical incident visits, these will also be covered by your department.

Limitations of Visit

This is NOT:

A Fit for Duty evaluation
An Independent Medical Evaluation (IME)
Any other type of formal evaluation
Psychotherapy

Long-Term / Ongoing Counseling

Participants who are seen for post critical sessions cannot become long-term clients to avoid potential conflicts of interest or multiple roles. This is because post-critical sessions are evaluative in nature and our licensing board prohibits us from evaluating a client and treating them.

Confidentiality

Information discussed during this visit will be kept confidential, except as required by law or if there is a risk of harm to yourself or others (see "Mandated Reporting" below).

Following our visit, your peer support and command staff will receive a letter, email, or phone call stating you were seen and informing them of your decision to:

Return to full duty right away
Take more time to recover under Craig Tiger Act

If you choose to take more time, you will be required to be seen again by this clinician at least once more before being able to return to full duty. Depending on how much time you need to recover, you may have to meet with your clinician weekly or every few weeks. This will be discussed on an as-needed basis.

Mandated Reporting

If a clinician has reasonable suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult has been the victim of abuse or neglect they are mandated by law to report the information to the appropriate authorities and are not required to inform the client of doing so.

If a clinician has reasonable suspicion to believe the client is a danger to themselves or an identified third party they are mandated by law to report the information to the appropriate authorities and are not required to inform the client of doing so.

In the above situations, your clinician will make a report to the appropriate authorities who have jurisdiction over the situation and not to your department or command staff.

Weapons

My office is 2A friendly. You will NEVER be asked to leave your weapons at home or in your car. Please be advised that several of the counselors in the suite have CCWs and carry at all times.

Your Privacy

I strive to ensure you are not scheduled at a time when you will see other first responders who work in your city.
I cannot (by law) acknowledge that I know your friends and co-workers and will never mention you or your sessions to them.
Your records cannot be accessed or viewed by anyone without your express written permission, unless you are using insurance.
Under HB2502 (Craig Tiger Act), no records or diagnosis will ever be shared without your express written permission.
Your departments will only receive an invoice with the dates you attended sessions. Nothing else.

What is HB 2502 / Craig Tiger Act?

Peace officers and firefighters exposed to qualifying events while in the course of duty must be provided with up to twelve visits of licensed counseling — paid for by the employer — at no out-of-pocket cost to you.

Qualifying Events:

Visually witnessing the death or maiming of one or more human beings, or the immediate aftermath
Responding to or being directly involved in a criminal investigation involving a dangerous crime against children
Requiring rescue in the line of duty where one's life was endangered
Using deadly force or being subjected to deadly force in the line of duty
Witnessing the death of another peace officer or firefighter while engaged in the line of duty
Responding to or being directly involved in an investigation regarding the drowning or near drowning of a child

In addition to counseling, peace officers and firefighters may also take up to 30 paid calendar days off to engage in treatment.

Resources for Spouses of First Responders

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

Ready to Take the First Step?

You've protected others your entire career. Let me help protect you. Reach out today — your privacy and career are my priority.