Narrative Therapy to Address Trauma for Emergency Medical Services and Firefighters

Abstract

First responders, including Emergency Medical Services personnel and firefighters, support community members in times of crisis. When responding to emergencies, first responders often experience both direct and vicarious trauma. Over time, the pace and intensity of a career as a first responder leads to poor health habits and high risk for mental health issues including posttraumatic stress disorder. Due to concern about peer perception and mental health stigma, these professionals are less likely to seek mental health supports to manage and process trauma. This chapter explores Narrative Therapy as an ideal option for mental health treatment of first responder trauma, providing a collaborative approach to therapy using the natural coping strategy of storytelling.