I have undergone specialized training in this field. This includes completing the Clinician Awareness Program through The Florida Firefighters Safety & Health Collaborative, a comprehensive training program designed to equip mental health professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively work with first responders. This program has provided me with a deep understanding of the unique challenges that first responders face, as well as the tools and strategies needed to support their mental health and well-being. You can learn more about the Clinician Awareness Program by visiting the Florida Firefighters Safety & Health Collaborative website here.
In addition, I have completed the National Emergency Responder and Public Safety Clinician Certification. The NERPSC is the first national standardized certification for licensed clinicians. It provides comprehensive and specialized knowledge to clinicians who are interested in working with the public safety population and includes foundational and relevant topics, from critical incident response to relationship and family dynamics, and diversity challenges facing our nation’s responders. This is a rigorous training that involved 40 hours of classroom learning, testing to ensure knowledge was learned and retained, and 16 hours of experiential exposure learning. This training also has an ongoing learning requirement to ensure that clinicians are up to date with training in the field of emergency responders. To learn more about the National Emergency Responder and Public Safety Clinician Certification, please visit their website here.
I have undergone specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This training was provided by a mental health provider who specializes in working with first responders, and I continue to have access to consultation with this provider. This training has equipped me with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively utilize EMDR therapy in my work with first responders, helping them to process traumatic experiences and develop coping strategies for managing PTSD symptoms.
Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a commitment to ongoing professional development, particularly in the area of working with first responders. In addition to specialized training in EMDR, I have completed several Continuing Education Units (CEUs) focused specifically on the unique mental health concerns of first responders. Moreover, I have also worked on developing trainings for other mental health providers to increase their awareness of first responder-specific concerns. I have also supervised other therapists who work with first responders to ensure positive treatment outcomes, providing guidance and support to ensure that the unique needs of these clients are being effectively addressed. Through these efforts, I am dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to first responders and helping them to achieve greater mental health and well-being.
