Doing Therapy With First Responders:

Trauma Ridden, Therapy Resistant

Course Description

First responders are front line professionals who insure our safety and respond to emergency and non-emergency situations the public has. They sacrifice in a multitude of ways daily. This population has specialized needs and issues, requiring a knowledge and specialization for those who respond to them while they're in crisis or needing help. This training will educate counselors, social workers, EMS professionals, and front line professionals who meet the first responder in their time of need, bringing understanding and skills to a whole new level for those involved. CEUs offered for applicable licensing boards.  

 

Learning Objectives

• Learn the typical personality characteristics of First Responders.
• Identify the specific aspects of the occupation that cause acute stress and PTSD.
• Explore the various issues that cause resistance when doing therapy with First Responders.
• Discuss how First Responders typically manage the acute and traumatic stress situations inherent in the job.  
• Explain avoidance behavior and how it relates and damages First Responders. 
• Explore sleep dysfunction and the normal sleep cycle and how they effect First Responders 
• Discuss strategies for regaining control of one's sleep patterns. 
• Explore the cycle of preparing for duty, being on duty, and moving to an off duty status. 
• Touch on sympathetic nervous system stimulation 
  

Instructor

 Mary F. Baca, CWK, CCTP, LPCC is a Licensed Counselor in the state of New Mexico. She received her undergraduate degree with a dual degree in Psychology and Criminology. She went on to graduate with her Master's Degree in Counseling in 1989. Mary has maintained a thriving private practice, Odyssey Counseling, for 27 years, employing several therapists, and a holistic practice, Resilience Integrative Services. Included in Mary’s repertoire of specialty areas are PTSD, acute stress, depression, anxiety, and grief. She is trained in EMDR, a powerful modality she's used for over 15 years, in addition to CBT, guided visualization, EFT, Applied Kinesiology, Reiki, and more. As a certified holistic practitioner Mary integrates a variety of traditional and alternative methods in her work. 17 years ago, Mary began working with first responders. She quickly became passionate about helping this population, educating the public, and raising awareness about the occupational hazards involved in this field. Mary actively trains her team of therapists, trauma professionals, and a First Responder Peer Intervention Support Team called "NM Behind The Badge."

LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor)

LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor)

RI (Registered Independent MHC)

LADAC (Licensed Alcohol Drug Abuse Counselor)

LSAA (Licensed Substance Abuse Associate)

LAMFT (Licensed Associate Mattiage and Family Therapist)

LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)

LPAT (Licensed Professional Art Therapist)

LBSW (Licensed Bachelor Social Worker)

LMSW (Licensed Masters Social Worker)

LISW/LCSW (Licensed Independent/Clinical Social Worker)

 

NM Board Accepted. Attendees wil earn 3.0 CEUs