Police, firefighters, and paramedics are highly exposed to traumatic events and experience markedly higher rates of PTSD than others in the community, also facing distinct organizational challenges that complicate their stress reactions. Often, this results in needs not addressed in manuals developed for people who have survived single traumatic events. This book provides an overview of theoretical and empirical frameworks for understanding PTSD in first responders and outlines practical, evidence-based approaches to assess and treat PTSD in these populations.

The stress that comes with being a first responder has been known to lead to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide. However, few clinicians are informed about these health concerns and how to adequately treat them in this population. Therefore, there is an urgent need for practitioners to understand the latest information regarding treatments that will be useful to this specific population. Mental Health Intervention and Treatment of First Responders and Emergency Workers is an essential reference source that focuses on the latest research for diagnosing and treating mental health issues experienced by emergency personnel and seeks to generate awareness and inform clinicians about the unique circumstances encountered by these professionals. While highlighting topics including anxiety disorders and stress management, this book is ideally designed for clinicians, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, practitioners, medical professionals, EMTs, law enforcement, fire departments, military, academicians, researchers, policymakers, and students seeking current research on psychological therapy methods regarding first responders.

"It's important for fire fighters and the behavioral health community to work together in a systematic approach to not only fight stigma, but develop alternatives to the traditional behavioral health services and interventions available. One such pioneer leading the fight to develop quality and culturally competent treatment for our fire fighters is Dr. George Lindenfeld, noted psychologist and accomplished author. In his fifth work, First Responders: Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, & PTSD, Dr. Lindenfeld dives deeply into the unique experiences of PTSD among the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to serve our communities. "Building on his expertise in treating active military and veteran populations who suffer from PTSD, Dr. Lindenfeld has developed a promising new intervention that uses sensory activation to reconsolidate traumatic memories without relying on the traditional talk therapy interventions that in some cases have been ineffective or even a deterrent for those seeking help. I am grateful for Dr. Lindenfeld's contribution to bring the critical issues of PTSD in the fire service to the forefront of our national and international awareness. We have an uphill battle to climb in addressing this crisis among our ranks, but when we work together to challenge versus accept what is, we are one step closer." Sincerely, Harold A. Schaitberger General President International Association of Firefighters

If you are a police officer, firefighter, EMT, ER nurse, or soldier, or you love one . . . This book can save your life Suicide, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, and many more emotional and stress-related problems plague the first-responder community. Hundreds of thousands of these brave public servants have unwittingly become victims of the professions they once loved. However, the suffering that results from a professional life of sacrifice and service can be prevented and mitigated. As a law-enforcement veteran, police captain Dan Willis has witnessed the damage of emotional trauma and has made it his personal mission to safeguard and enhance the wellness and wholeness of police officers, firefighters, EMTs, emergency-room personnel, and soldiers. Bulletproof Spirit offers field-tested expertise designed to be used by all first responders — and their families — to heal themselves and continue serving with compassion and strength.

This manual is designed to orient helpers to offer psychological first aid (PFA) to people following a serious crisis event. PFA involves humane, supportive and practical assistance for people who are distressed, in ways that respect their dignity, culture and abilities. The instructions and materials in this manual are for a half-day orientation (4 hours excluding breaks) to prepare helpers to support people recently affected by very stressful events. If you have more time available for the orientation, extra activities and slides are included in text boxes to deliver a full day orientation (five and a half hours excluding breaks). Where possible, one should organize full day orientations to allow for deeper learning. It is important to adapt the orientation and materials to the local culture, language and context, and to the likely kinds of crisis situations in which your participants would be helping. This facilitator's manual is to be used together with Psychological First Aid: Guide for Field Workers.

This treatment manual provides mental health professionals with instructions for conducting written exposure therapy, a brief and accessible trauma intervention that is effective at reducing PTSD symptoms.