Therapy for Emergency Responders
Are you a firefighter, pilot, correctional worker, veteran, or active duty servicemember?
We tailor therapy to the unique needs of those who serve in high-pressure, high-stakes professions.
Does this sound like you?
You feel overwhelmed and so tired that makes it hard to get out of bed and get ready for work. You feel the “Sunday Scaries” every day of the week and dread going into the office, station, or job site. The trauma you see on the job makes it feel impossible to deal with the stress you experience off the job. You don’t know who to turn to because people see you as the rock of the family or friend group. You feel like no one will truly understand the complexities of your job or your experience. We do, we get it.
When you put on the badge, helmet, or uniform, you're signing up to face the hardest moments. Sometimes it’s an active fire, a crisis, or someone has passed away before you got to them. You try not to bring your work home with you, but what happens when it does follow you home? At Wandering Pine Wellness, our first responder counseling services are tailored specifically for those Las Vegas, Tacoma, and Denver professionals who keep our communities safe.
We know you’ve tried everything, and you just want to feel better…
We know about the long hours, the lack of control over your schedule, the bureaucratic bullshit, your thankless efforts, the competing demands. We understand the urge to come home from work, post up in front of the television and grab a beer to zone out for as long as you can until you can muster the energy to talk with your spouse, have a meal, or simply go to bed. Serving as a firefighter, police officer, EMT, dispatcher, or similar role comes with a burden most people can’t fathom.
It can feel like it is living in your body and is following you around wherever you go. It feels like this invisible cloud that follows you around, even years after a traumatic event, and gets in the way of you trusting other people, trying new things, or reengaging with friends/family. You want to “logic” your way through it; you know it was years ago, it is something that you have recovered physically from, and that you are safe now but it doesn’t feel like that.
If you experience a traumatic event, you may find yourself trying to make sense of what happened. You may find yourself trying to figure out who to blame, how and why you were involved, why you feel the way you do, or whether the feelings you are experiencing are out of proportion to the event.
YOU MIGHT BE EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING:
Flashbacks
Nightmares
Fear
Avoidance of certain people or places
Depression
Confusion
Feeling detached
Not following through on commitments
Irritability
Feeling on edge
Not feeling safe in public
Feeling withdrawn from others
Anger
Drinking alone
Not calling or texting people back
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
PTSD
Relationship strain
Many civilian therapists simply don’t "get it." They may normalize serious symptoms or miss how the job bleeds into personal life. That’s where first responder trauma counseling makes a difference: specialized care that understands the culture, the calls, and the aftermath.
The trauma reactions you are experiencing are a normal reaction to an abnormal event or situation.
If you want to free your body of the trauma that lives inside, you have come to the right place. Our team is made up of individuals who specialize in trauma processing and can provide a safe place for you to reprocess your trauma in a way that provides you with relief. You may have heard of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). This is a highly effective clinical approach to desensitizing current triggers of trauma and reprocessing memories of traumatic experiences. This type of therapy goes beyond traditional talk therapy by including bilateral stimulation, stimulating both sides of your brain to facilitate a faster healing process. EMDR can be used for a single traumatic event, or wounds experienced in childhood.
Our Approach: Trauma-Informed, Evidence-Based, Fast Relief
EMDR – Trauma Reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a research-backed method that rewires unprocessed traumatic experiences. Highly effective for both single-incident trauma, complex trauma, anxiety, and panic.
Read more about EMDR here: https://www.wanderingpinewellness.com/blog/neuroscience-behind-emdr-trauma-therapy
2. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
CPT is a structured, evidence-based talk therapy that’s used to treat PTSD and trauma-related symptoms. It helps you identify and challenge unhelpful beliefs that may have developed after a traumatic experience. This approach is especially useful for first responders who struggle with what they “should’ve done” or feel responsible for outcomes beyond their control. CPT typically involves 12 focused sessions, plus a few prep appointments before you dive in. It's a great fit for clients who want a clear roadmap and are ready to work through stuck patterns related to trauma.
3. Psychoeducation + Practical Tools
Wandering Pine Wellness equips first responders with tools to manage daily stress and restore balance. You'll learn about how your nervous system reacts to trauma, how to get better sleep, and how to calm your nervous system.
4. Flexible Telehealth or In-Person Sessions to Fit Your Busy Life
We offer virtual sessions throughout Nevada, Washington, and Colorado. In-person sessions are offered in Las Vegas, Littleton, CO, and Spokane, WA. Flexible scheduling allows therapy for first responders accessible amid full schedules
Confidentiality
You might have concerns about confidentiality and the impact a diagnosis could have on your license or your fitness for duty. Rest assured; your privacy is our top priority. Our therapists adhere to strict confidentiality protocols, ensuring that your sessions remain confidential within the bounds of legal and ethical guidelines.
When you take the first step toward seeking support, that’s often the hardest part. We commend you for prioritizing your well-being. If you're a safety sensitive worker seeking compassionate and specialized therapy, we invite you to reach out to us today. Together, we can embark on a journey toward healing, growth, and resilience.
Use the contact form on this page and schedule with Steve, Kerry or Gina.
Our therapists have played a significant role in helping individuals heal from trauma.
If you have experienced a single event of trauma such as going on a tough call as an emergency responder or a difficult deployment as a service member, you can participate in EMDR or Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). CPT is highly effective in mitigating the effects of PTSD, depression and anxiety. Give us a call today and we can walk you through what may be best for your individual case and experiences.
FAQ
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Yes! EMDR can be provided during telehealth appointments.
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It depends on you and your individual circumstances. If engaging in cognitive processing therapy (CPT), the treatment protocol is 12 sessions. We typically add 2-3 sessions prior to beginning the protocol to increase coping skills and strategies. Give us a call and we are happy to talk about this further if you’d like to participate in EMDR.
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Our clinicians have experience in treating a wide range of traumatic experiences from childhood trauma to workplace trauma.
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CPT is most effective for singular traumatic events such as a difficult call as an emergency responder or a deployment-related incident as a service member. CPT is not a good fit for folks who do not have time or ability to do homework outside of sessions.
EMDR is effective for both singular traumatic events in adulthood as well as core wounds experienced in childhood. EMDR does not require homework outside of the treatment setting and would be a good fit for individuals who have busy lives. Because EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, moving your eyes from side to side, it is recommended that you consult your doctor if you have any eye condition, neurological condition, or any other medical concern that may be impacted by moving your eyes from side to side.
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Yes. Bilateral stimulation can be achieved through self-administered tapping on both sides of the body or holding EMDR tappers.
