"High Stakes" is a specialized behavioral health group designed for men who have served in the military, firefighting, dispatcher or EMS professions. This group focuses on the unique challenges faced by veterans and first responders, offering a safe and supportive environment to explore issues related to trauma, stress, and the pressures of maintaining a resilient, masculine identity in high-stakes careers. Visit https://cadencewellness.org/appointments to see group time and availability.
"High Stakes" is a specialized behavioral health group designed for men who have served in the military, firefighting, dispatcher or EMS professions. This group focuses on the unique challenges faced by veterans and first responders, offering a safe and supportive environment to explore issues related to trauma, stress, and the pressures of maintaining a resilient, masculine identity in high-stakes careers. Visit https://cadencewellness.org/appointments to see group time and availability.
Cadence workout can help with trauma response by leveraging rhythmic movement to regulate the nervous system, improve body awareness, and build resilience. Trauma often disrupts the body's ability to self-regulate, leading to heightened stress responses, hypervigilance, or dissociation. Cadence Workout is a bi weekly group that lasts 60 mins, moderate to hard workouts using cadence to help regulate the mind, body and spirit. This is an open enrollment class with a max capacity of 12 people. Please call to reserve your spot today.
Cadence workout can help with trauma response by leveraging rhythmic movement to regulate the nervous system, improve body awareness, and build resilience. Trauma often disrupts the body's ability to self-regulate, leading to heightened stress responses, hypervigilance, or dissociation. Cadence Workout is a bi weekly group that lasts 60 mins, moderate to hard workouts using cadence to help regulate the mind, body and spirit. This is an open enrollment class with a max capacity of 12 people. Please call to reserve your spot today.
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First Responders Support Groups
Why is mental health important for first responders?
As part of their work, first responders are often exposed to high levels of stress, trauma, and physical injury that can put them at a greater risk for serious mental health conditions than the general population. Conditions like PTSD, anxiety, substance use, and depression are more common in first responders, which can greatly reduce quality of life and lead to burnout, sleep disruption, and even suicidal thoughts. Therapy can offer an opportunity for first responders to process difficult on-the-job experiences and develop coping skills to better manage any mental health symptoms they may experience.
How can first responders get access to mental health support?
Many first responders can access therapy for free or at a very low cost through their employer, such as through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Workplaces may also offer or have referral recommendations for support groups, where first responders can meet with others in their profession to receive support. Individuals who would like to access mental health services outside of their employer may use their insurance benefits to see a therapist, which they can find by searching for therapists online or asking for recommendations from their primary care physician.
What type of therapy is best for first responders?
The best therapy approach depends on the mental health concerns of the client. Since many first responders struggle with trauma or PTSD, they may benefit from trauma-specific therapeutic approaches, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, Exposure Therapy, or Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Individuals with symptoms of anxiety, depression, or stress may alternatively benefit from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or mindfulness-based therapeutic approaches, which can help clients develop coping skills to manage distressing thoughts.
Can therapy for first responders help with trauma and PTSD?
Therapy can be highly effective in both treating and preventing trauma and PTSD in first responders. Typically, therapy for trauma and PTSD focuses on developing stress management skills and managing intrusive or unwanted thoughts. Therapists working with first responders often help clients strengthen their relationships and reduce harmful coping mechanisms, such as excessive substance use. Additionally, therapists assist first responders in establishing daily habits that support overall mental and physical health and enhance resilience to future stress, such as regular physical exercise, mindfulness practices, and improved eating habits.