MY BACKUP Law Enforcement/First Responder Wellness Program
If you or a first responder (FR) you care about are considering reaching out for help, I'm sure you have some questions, so I've created the FAQ below to put your mind at ease.
In Canada, therapists are already part of first responder agencies with offices actually inside the departments, so rapport is easier to develop over time and the stigma of talking to them is significantly reduced. Unfortunately, most responder agencies here in the US do not have in-house mental health support. In fact, most departments, like those in our community, do not even have peer support teams, forcing responders to suffer alone in silence or seek help on their own. Even if they have the courage to reach out to mental health support on the outside, which many justifiably will not due to fear of affecting fit for duty, they still face the challenge of finding a therapist a) they can trust, b) has openings, and c) is professionally competent to meet their specialized needs.
Having a wellness program in place means someone has your back 24/7. You will not be forced to suffer in silence for fear of losing your career or marriage, nor will you have to let things go to the extent you begin to self-medicate, self-harm, or just give up. As a psychotherapist, I am the one people come to when they feel trapped, under pressure, or burdened with situations, thoughts, or feelings not shared with anyone else.
I feel my role as a therapist is to be that 100% trusted person with no strings attached—one who does not judge you for what you have done (or thought of doing) and, aside from mandated reporting, will not share even the existence of our working relationship with loved ones, employers, or HR departments.
I will forever be indebted to Mt Shasta PD, who allowed me to hang out in the station, sit with dispatch, talk with the team about their careers, and go on day and night shift ride-alongs to earn my first responder counselor certification. Since then, I've spent time with other agencies and earned two more responder-related certifications (clinical trauma professional and first responder peer support team leader-trainer).
Please know I am here for all first responders, even if your agency does not have a wellness program or peer support team. I am both qualified and available to support all first responders throughout California and Oregon for confidential counseling and 24/7-365 crisis support.
By the way, the information in the FAQ list below and other good stuff are discussed in detail in my first podcast, "Chera & My Backup, An Introduction," (YouTube channel "CheraTherapy").
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In order to protect the purity of the therapeutic alliance, I am intentionally choosing not to provide nor collaborate with any fit-for-duty assessment services at this time. As with any other client, per HIPAA regulations, I will not share any of your private health information (PHI) with anyone nor any agency without your informed written consent.