Help for First Responders
When Those Who Help Others, Need Help
Mission: To Serve and Support those who Serve and Protect
For All First Responders - Firefighters, Law Enforcement, Paramedics, 911 Dispatchers, Military Personnel, and Healthcare Workers.
"Sometimes the cumulative impact of what we see at work can make it tough to live life when we're not on duty."
"As a first responder, I'm there to assist others during scary and intense times. I help them with their medical needs, talk them through challenging situations, and provide support when their world feels like it's falling apart. I'm trained for this! But the experiences accumulate, and it becomes difficult to let go and switch off from work. I'm starting to feel burnt out and in need of help myself. Now, it's my turn."
It's not uncommon for first responders to be repeatedly exposed to a variety of traumatic events, such as serious injuries, medical emergencies, deaths, natural disasters, and acts of violence. Our dedicated therapists are committed to bringing hope and healing to the first responder community. We want to help you get back to being yourself!
We can assist you in preventing burnout, managing fatigue, boosting motivation and morale, reducing the risk of early retirement, improving connections with team members and loved ones, and tapping back into the resilience and passion that led you to serve and protect your community.
If you have a pattern of "pushing through it" and suppressing worries or fears that may be emerging, we can provide support.
If you no longer want to keep experiencing distressing images or sounds from past calls or events, we can help you address these intrusions.
If you have withdrawn from others because you feel they won't understand or be able to relate, we're here to provide a safe space for connection.
If you feel like you're hiding what's going on inside you while still showing up for your job and duties, we can help you navigate those internal struggles.
If it's challenging to let go of work and you feel stuck in a state of high alert, waiting for something else to happen, we can assist you in finding balance.
Concerned about how accessing mental health support may be perceived by coworkers or employers or how information will be shared with your employer?
We understand the concerns that first responders, and all clients, have regarding personal information sharing. These concerns can sometimes create reluctance to seek help from a therapist. At PsychSolutions, we prioritize privacy and confidentiality. We follow recommended guidelines and regulations regarding privacy and confidentiality set forth by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). We document concerns, treatment progress, and recommendations according to these practices, and in order to inform and guide treatment. As a client, you always have the right to review what is documented and to discuss what information is shared with others (e..g, confirming amounts and dates of appointments with a third-party payer, time required off work, treatment recommendations, etc). Only with your consent, will we communicate with third parties, often to coordinate treatment and services. If you have any questions about your privacy, please discuss them with your therapist. Our transparent practices aim to increase your comfort in sharing concerns with your therapist and facilitate a smoother therapy process.
"I don't want to deal with it. I'm functioning just fine."
"I already know what working on this will mean. I don't want to go there."
"It's not just the 'event.' It's everything that happened before and after."
"It was just one bad call. I don't understand why that one is affecting me so much."
"It's more about how it was handled than the event itself."
"I'm supposed to offer help, not receive it. I don't want to let my team down."
"All I know is that I always feel angry and bitter. I used to love my job, and I want to feel that way again."
We can help you address day-to-day job stress inherent in being a first responder, process particularly difficult calls, navigate the impact of shift work or personnel shortages, cope with increased stress during investigations, and reconnect with your initial sense of purpose for being a first responder.
If you are struggling with the cumulative impact of work experiences or just want to be too proactive and address concerns as they arise, connect with one of our therapists who specialize in trauma and first responders
