Trauma exposure changes you
As a public safety professional you are not allowed to have bad days on the clock. A first responder is exposed to trauma and the worst of humanity on a daily basis. Joe Citizen's worst day is your everyday. These experiences change the way you view the world. It can be hard to gain perspective and find the good in people. Resilience skills can help with that.
Difficulty connecting to others
Work stress and experiences can overflow into other areas of your life. Irritability, being quick to anger, chronically on edge or exhausted can cause fractures in your relationships. This overflow can be a warning sign that you are reaching burnout. Strengthening resiliency will help you to avoid burnout and get you back to enjoying your life off-duty.
Off-duty life feels dull and meaningless
At the end of shift your nervous system is wiped out. Your capacity for even the smallest inconveniences is null. You want to feel relaxed and experience joy but you can't seem to find it. Using resilience tools you will be handling everyday life stress without hesitation and enjoying time with family and friends.
Why Resilience?
Resilience is the ability to bounce back and thrive under challenging or threatening circumstances.
Resiliency skills are an empowering approach to addressing occupational trauma.
You are the expert on how your life has been impacted by your job, and you have the strength within you to overcome. An understanding of resilience skills can help you harness this strength.
Course Topics:
1) the importance of resilience
2) biological science behind resiliency
3) skills for building and sustaining resilience
Deana Kahle M.S., LMFT
My purpose in life is to alleviate suffering.
The passion and commitment to first responders started with my grandfather. He was a WWII veteran and a law enforcement officer, moving up the ranks to Chief of Police. I knew he was important by the way he carried himself. To a small child he was as big as a tree and just as strong. How he looked in his sharply pressed uniform, the creaky sound his gun belt made and the taps on his shoes still makes me pause in remembrance.
Having been married to a police officer, I have experienced law enforcement culture and learned of the unique challenges living life behind the scenes. I have vowed to be part of the solution toward officer wellness.
My clinical practice has primarily focused on first responders and their families. I am trained in EMDR, certified in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) and a trained instructor through AICC for Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T).
My foundational perspective is that optimal wellness is an active pursuit to understand and achieve your full potential in all aspects of life.
You are the expert on your life and experiences. My role is to educate, offer perspective and suggest tools for you to live a fulfilled life with ease.
I have helped thousands of first responders and their families. I would be honored to help you too.
Association Details
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
California Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) 99258
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF)
AICC POST Instructor
Agencies I've worked with
