Supporting Those Who Serve: Reflections on Working With First Responders

I want to start by applauding the first responder community for the incredible steps they’ve taken to prioritize mental health and wellness. Over the past few years, there’s been a real shift and a commitment to talk openly about mental health, challenge stigma, and make space for meaningful support.

On October 1st, I had the privilege of attending The Legacy Place Society’s First Responder Symposium. It was an inspiring event that brought together speakers, advocates, and front-line professionals who live and breathe this work every day. I’m grateful to the presenters who shared their expertise, and to the first responders who took the time to sit down, chat, and share a meal with me.

Conversations like those always remind me why I do this work and strengthen my commitment to supporting firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and other emergency responders in ways that feel practical, grounded, and genuinely helpful.

 

What Drew Me to Working With First Responders

When I first started my work as a counsellor, I didn’t have a specific focus on first responder mental health. Honestly, I hadn’t really thought about it, but I began to notice a pattern. Many of my clients worked in high-stress, high-pressure environments where performance, composure, and service to others were constant expectations.

My passion for trauma work naturally led me toward specialized training in trauma-informed therapy. Over time, I realized how closely this aligned with the needs of people who spend their lives protecting and serving others, often at the expense of their own wellbeing.

 

The Unique Mental Health Challenges First Responders Face

As I learned more about the realities that first responders face, and the distinct workplace culture that shapes those realities, it became clear that therapy has to meet them where they are. It’s not just about the job description; it’s about the intensity of what they experience day after day.

Chronic stress takes a toll on both mind and body. Shift work disrupts sleep and recovery. The instinct to protect friends and family from the harsh realities of the job can lead to isolation and emotional exhaustion. And many operate in systems that are underfunded and overstretched, which only adds to the frustration and sense of moral injury.

It’s a lot and it’s not something that can be fixed with a simple, “That sounds tough.”

First responders often need practical, evidence-based strategies that create real change in daily life. Some benefit from trauma-focused therapy, others from relational or cognitive approaches, most benefit from somatic or body-based exercises, and many need a combination of all three. Any therapist who works with first responders must be able to move fluidly between these areas because most responders are juggling work, health, family, and identity all at once.

 

Why This Work Matters to Me

This work feels deeply personal. I’ve always believed that the way a society treats its most vulnerable members says everything about its values.

First responders dedicate their lives to protecting those vulnerable members and in doing so, they make themselves vulnerable too. Their bravery, compassion, and sense of duty come at a cost. Supporting the people who support all of us feels like one small way I can give back and contribute to something bigger than myself.

How to Find the Right Therapist for First Responders

If you’re a first responder thinking about starting therapy, here are two key things I’d encourage you to consider:

  • Connection matters.Do you genuinely like your therapist and do they seem to like you? The therapeutic relationship is the foundation for meaningful progress and the number one predictor of positive outcomes.
  • Competence counts.Ask about their training and experience. Have they worked with first responders or trauma-related issues before? Do they understand the impact of cumulative stress, operational stress injuries, or post-traumatic stress? You have every right to know what makes them qualified to help you.

 

A Closing Note

Working with first responders has changed the way I think about resilience, vulnerability, and community. I’m continually inspired by the strength and humanity I see in this line of work and I’m grateful for the opportunity to support those who spend their lives supporting others. If you’re interested in booking a consultation with me to learn more you can do so here.

The post Supporting Those Who Serve: Reflections on Working With First Responders appeared first on Curio Counselling.



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via Curio Counselling

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