The level of exhaustion you are feeling makes sense- you are carrying so much.
You matter – not just for what you do, but for who you are.
The culture within many first responder communities emphasizes ‘it happened, so move on’, and this often internalizes to “I shouldn’t let this bother me”. Most times, in order to do your job well, you have to shut off a part of your own (very human) emotional experiences. As a result, everything becomes suppressed, which can lead to numbness, and other ways of coping such as irritability, substance use, or difficulty sleeping. First responders are at a heightened risk for trauma responses due to repeated exposure to stressful and life-threatening situations.
When working with those who are in the helping field, I offer a space to grieve and feel emotions safely to get some relief in day-to-day life. I can also help process a difficult call or session and help regulate your nervous system that likely feels like it is on high alert and is difficult to ‘shut off’. I recognize that supporting helpers goes beyond call debriefs. I can hold space for the cumulative toll of systemic failures, moral injury, and organizational stress that can shape someone’s experience.
Whether you are a therapist, medical provider or first responder, you no longer have to power through silently and alone. I can help you learn to turn the care you have given others, inward.
