Private, confidential therapy for first responders

You wanted to help people. You wanted to make a difference.

The job has changed and you have too. In quiet moments between radio calls and texts from home, you barely recognize that version of yourself. Now? It’s bullshit and assholes. Day after day. No end in sight. They say, “don’t take the work home”, but the line between on-duty and off-duty keeps getting thinner.

You’ve tried everything and it’s not getting better.

You come home in one piece after your shift ends, but it feels like everything is on the verge of breaking to pieces. The confident voice that used to say, “won’t happen to me or my family” is barely a whisper now. You can’t ignore it anymore. You know you need help.

You’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

Everyone seems to be talking about “wellness” these days, you can’t stop worrying about what people would think if they found out you started talking to someone and how it could impact the career you’ve worked so hard to build. Even if you made the decision to get help, you’d have to find someone.

You don’t know who to trust.

You don’t know where to start, but you know where you aren’t starting. You don’t trust the mental health staff hired by the department or the employee assistance program. You’re hesitant to use insurance because you fear records could be used against you somehow. You want a therapist you can trust to protect confidentiality, who can handle dark humor without overreacting, and gets first response culture without needing you to explain it. 

I am not a first responder, but I appreciate and understand the burden of the badge you carry. I know you are more than your rank and your uniform, but they influence your identity and your relationships outside of work. I recognize the stigma associated with talking to a therapist and the fears about how it could impact your reputation or future promotions. Honestly? The fact that you are reading this right now is a big deal. Seeking help when it’s needed (or before) represents integrity, courage and accountability.

You got into this profession to help others, I want to help you.

I’m based in Richmond, VA for in-person sessions - but able to serve first responders anywhere in the state through a private, protected telehealth platform. My schedule includes availability outside of the typical 9am-5pm, M-F hours. My approach to therapy is short-term. Most people work with me for an average of 4-6 sessions and then return as needed if something comes up. 

We’ll partner to identify goals and track progress to ensure you are seeing change - and troubleshoot if you aren’t. As we work together, there will be equal attention paid to processing thoughts and feelings AND engaging in action-based problem solving. You’ll find me to be direct, curious, and encouraging. I work from a strengths-based perspective, which means I believe in your capability to do the hard work of change. The therapy session (either virtually or in-person) is a safe space to put words to the unspeakable and experiment with new tools before you take them to the street. 

Wondering what’s in it for you?

Well, that depends on your specific stressors, the toll they are taking (physical, mental, emotional), and your goals for therapy. My hope is that you can get reacquainted with the person you were before the strains of the job became unbearable. 

You’ll add tools to your belt that are relevant, realistic and reliable. Successful engagement in therapy can look like more patience, decreased reliance on unhealthy coping strategies, better relationships with the people you care about (and even those you don’t), less cynicism about the world in general, and increased hope for the future. 

When we wrap up our work together, I want you to feel more confident in your ability to respond well to the intense ups and downs that have become your normal - the minor daily annoyances to the major critical incidents. And you’ll be better able to connect in your important relationships as these things happen.

Curiosity peaked?

Let’s talk! Call (804) 404-3233 or email at amber@vernonpsyd.com to schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation - no obligation! We’ll briefly discuss your interest in therapy, important logistics (like scheduling and cost), and how I can support you. 

Specializing in therapy with law enforcement officers, deputies, corrections officers, firefighters, EMTs, and dispatchers. Learn about my other specialties including, pre-hire evaluations and fitness for duty evaluations.

Note: At this time, I am not able to offer therapy services for current employees of the Richmond Police Department. Want to know why? Click here. If you work for RPD, contact me for a FREE, 15-minute consultation. We’ll briefly discuss your needs and I’ll use that information to link you to other competent treatment providers.