First Responder Care: Prevention, Intervention & Postvention
First Responder Care: Prevention, Intervention & Postvention
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Dates and Times
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-In-Person
Location
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Southern Hemisphere IIIWalt Disney World Dolphin Resort
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Fire service personnel, law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians and dispatchers witness more trauma, abuse & harm from their anticipated, day-to-day experiences than most people will face in a lifetime (Violanti, 2021; Ângelo & Chambel, 2015; Miller et al., 2018). And these day-to-day experiences don’t include the abrupt, major disasters and crises that impact the communities they serve (Farrell et al., 2020; Muhlhausen et al., 2019). The cumulative effects of their work can result in a variety of mental health concerns that require comprehensive & culturally responsive care (Jackson-Cherry & Perron, 2021). In this panel discussion, we will start by reviewing the importance of understanding first responder culture to effectively build therapeutic relationships. Then we will transition to sharing best practices for prevention, intervention and postvention clinical work with first responders. During the review of the three stages of first responder care, panelists will highlight their experiences utilizing assessment tools, psychoeducation resources, treatment strategies, outcome evaluations and resilience building skills with working alongside the first responder community.
Two of our panel speakers are internationally renowned first responders who will speak about their lived experiences in law enforcement and professional experiences advocating for mental health care. Both have made meaningful contributions to the profession through presentations, publications & global initiatives on topics such as vicarious trauma, the influence gender on first responders, stress & burnout after critical incidents, suicide prevention and suicide psychological autopsies. Our two other panelists lead higher education programs, therapeutic initiatives and scholarly endeavors for current and future counselors providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive care. As both clinicians, educators and scholars they have participated in a range of international through local initiatives promoting research, clinical practice and advocacy in the areas of first responder mental health, resilience, trauma, disability, autism and the intersection of race, sex & gender in counseling.
At the end of this course, participants will be able to:
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Identify & understand how first responder culture influences mental health and clinical work.
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Assess first responder internal and external resources for education, support, & prevention.
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Apply evidence-based models, strategies, & techniques for specific crises for tailored treatment.
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Evaluate & plan for continued care, professional vitality & building resilience.