Counseling for First Responders
Is Your Job As A First Responder Creating Additional Stress In Your Life?
Are you a member of a police or firefighting unit, crisis response team, hospital staff, or a military veteran?
Has your work exposed you to scary, disturbing, or threatening situations?
Do you experience symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including anxiety, hypervigilance, or trouble sleeping?
As a first responder, you’ve probably internalized some secondary trauma. Though you are not at the direct center of the emergencies, injuries, and events you’ve witnessed, you likely carry the stress of those experiences with you. As a result, you may have noticed mental, emotional, and physical symptoms creeping up, affecting your work performance and everyday life.
Such symptoms may include irritability, agitation, and difficulty coping with ordinary stressors. Your body may respond to traumatic stress by entering fight, flight, freeze, or fawn when under threat, and you may have a hard time regulating your stress response—even after returning home from work for the day. This lack of regulation can cause you to become distracted, hypersensitive to your surroundings, or easily irritated with others. Additionally, stored trauma often manifests in the body, creating muscle tension, chronic pain, and sleep problems.
Vicarious Trauma Vs. Secondary Trauma
Due to the dangers and unpredictability involved with your job, you’re more at risk for both vicarious and secondary trauma. Vicarious trauma results from ongoing, accumulating exposure to trauma, while secondary trauma may develop in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic situation. Even if you have not directly witnessed a dangerous, disruptive, or violent event, you may still suddenly develop symptoms of PTSD due to the nature of your everyday work.
However, because you are trained to handle emergencies and crisis situations, you may have convinced yourself that you don’t need help or that you should know how to address symptoms on your own. But it’s essential for your work, relationships, and mental health that you maintain proper coping skills. In counseling for first responders, you can be matched with a trained, empathetic clinician who will help you feel healthier and more functional in your everyday life.
First Responders Are More Likely To Be Put In Traumatic Situations
All forms of trauma—including PTSD, vicarious trauma, and secondary trauma—are very common among first responders. If you’re a healthcare professional, police officer, firefighter, EMT, or veteran feeling the stress of your profession, you are not alone. In fact, first responders are likely to develop symptoms of PTSD at a much higher rate than the general population.
And while most of these professions provide crisis training and require a certain level headedness on the job, there is only so much stress we as humans can endure before experiencing obstacles to our mental, emotional, and physical health. Not to mention, COVID-19 has placed additional stress on first responders, in particular, leading to increased instances of PTSD, vicarious trauma, and secondary trauma.
But this population, by virtue, is made up of helpers. And as helpers, we can have a hard time asserting our needs. We’re also more likely to overlook or downplay disruptive symptoms as we become more desensitized to traumatic experiences. Moreover, within many first responder communities, there is still an unfortunate stigma attached to therapy and mental health support. The culture of these professions often demands composure, control, or a toughness that prevents struggling individuals from seeking the help they deserve.
At The Next Step, you will not be met with judgment or expectation. Our counselors are familiar with treating healthcare professionals, veterans, and other first responders who have internalized the trauma associated with their jobs.
Counseling For First Responders Offers A Pathway To Healing And Resilience
Due to the demands of your job, you may not have the time and space you need throughout the week to really let your guard down and address your symptoms head-on. In counseling for first responders, you can enter a safe, empathetic atmosphere where you can build coping skills and resilience.
As trauma-informed counselors, we offer personalized ways for first responders to enhance self-care and balance in their lives. Our solution-oriented approach can provide symptom relief as we help you to peel back the layers of your experiences to target trauma at its core.
Our Process
Once you have completed your intake paperwork via our secure client portal, you will come together with your therapist to discuss your symptoms, profession as a first responder, and goals for therapy. As your counselor gets to know you better, they will be able to help you identify strengths, insights, and individualized strategies for managing stress during crises.
With the perspectives you gain in therapy, you’ll be able to cultivate more self-compassion and balance in every area of your life. Not only will counseling help you manage work stress; it will also improve your relationships, self-perception, and outlook.
Once your overall health improves, you will be able to thrive at work and in life. A happier, more balanced future awaits you in therapy for healthcare professionals, veterans, and other first responders at The Next Step.
Maybe You’re A First Responder, But Not Sure If Counseling Is Right For You…
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We are committed to providing accessible, affordable counseling services to all of our clients—especially those who are first responders. Therefore, we accept Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth for those covered by insurance. Even if your insurance provider isn’t included here, let us know—we’re happy to give you a superbill at the end of your session.
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At The Next Step, we offer evening and weekend hours for clients who may have a hard time scheduling throughout the week. If you’re concerned about availability, we have therapists who can schedule until 8p on weekdays and Saturdays. And because we offer the option of telehealth, you can access counseling more easily while removing the hassle of a commute.
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Though the mental health stigma is decreasing, there is still a taboo surrounding therapy—especially among certain first responder populations. But it’s important to remember that maintaining optimal mental health is the best way to be the best partner, peer, family member, and first responder you can be.
What you disclose in therapy and who you tell about the experience is ultimately up to you. We will never share your private information without your consent, and you’re protected by HIPAA.
By Learning To Manage Work-Related Stress, You Can Improve The Overall Quality Of Your Life
If you’re a first responder struggling with residual, secondary, or vicarious trauma and PTSD symptoms, counseling can help. At The Next Step, we provide therapy to healthcare professionals, veterans, and other first responders.
To learn more about our services, you can schedule a free, 15-minute consultation with our clinical director by filling out our contact form or calling (480) 702 – 1605.
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