First Responders
You got into this work for a reason, to help and protect people. Maybe you felt like it was your purpose in life.
People look to you for answers, you are a "fixer." You're held to a higher standard, expected to do better, be better. Part of that makes you proud of your career, but sometimes it is exhausting.
Other people can have an "off day" at work. You can't. If you aren't all there, the best-case scenario might mean a complaint about your conduct but if you forget or don't notice something important, someone could get hurt.
There is a lot of talk about mental health, but maybe you don't feel like the support is actually there. Is it really okay to show vulnerability? Who can you trust when you aren't okay?
It is hard to reach out for help, so instead, we tell ourselves stories. We are "fine." We aren't affected. Other people just aren't as strong as us. We often use humour to get through some of the horrific stuff we deal with, and it works for a while until it doesn't.
It doesn't matter what kind of helping professional you are. Whether you are a police officer, a firefighter, paramedic, in the military or one of the many others who work every day to help people and keep your community safe, chances are you can relate.
Why Attend Counselling As A First Responder:
Learn effective coping skills and techniques to manage stress and anxiety, and improve your overall mental health and wellbeing.
Improve your communication skills and learn how to set healthy boundaries
Identify goals and work towards them with support in problem-solving.
Validate your experiences and feeling with the support of a trained professional.
Be a participant in your own treatment. We offer our clinical judgment and perhaps suggestions but if you feel like something is not working for you, we have a conversation about it. Our therapists don't pull rank and won’t ignore your experience.
What To Expect at Counselling for First Responders
Your first session will involve an assessment of your overall well-being as well as an intake of your personal history. You will create goals, and we will use that as a starting point to work together. We will help you understand your thoughts and feelings and the way that they impact your behaviour.
We will ask questions about your life, both past and present, your family experiences, and the lessons or messages you received. This helps us understand how you have come to be who you are. We will talk about your relationships and interactions with others. We will also discuss how your experiences may be impacting those relationships.
Your first session will involve an initial assessment of your well-being as well as an intake of your personal history and background. Each person's experience in therapy will be different and may depend on factors like: level of overall wellness, emotional state, life circumstances and prior experience in therapy is also a factor. No one wants to waste their time repeating something that they found unhelpful the first go-around, which is why it is important to tailor treatment to your individual needs.
Ready to get started?
Have more questions?
We want to make sure you find a therapist who is the right fit for you. Reach out to book a free consultation where we can assess your needs to provide you with the best care.