I started Rescue Pod to create a safe space to process traumatic events that often create emotional wounds, fears, disrupting core beliefs about ourselves, with the goal of returning to a healthy state. Our services are not a one size fits all. We will work together to find the best approach for your team’s needs.

EMS professionals are frequently called to perform in intense and stressful situations beyond what most people experience. These challenges naturally have impacts both physically and mentally. At times, even the most seasoned EMS professionals may encounter scenarios which overwhelm the capacity to cope and lead to difficulties in mental health and overall well being.  

From the first day of EMT class, our training is rooted in safety. “BSI? Scene Safe?” EMS professionals are trained to approach each call with caution, look for potential problems, and create strategies and solutions to protect ourselves from physical danger. We’re provided personal protective equipment to protect our bodies from physical harm when caring for others. We can build a similar approach to caring for our minds as well. Protecting and caring for mental health means building proactive skills to manage well being as well as developing and implementing healthy coping strategies to increase resilience during and outside of work, to be able to not just cope but to thrive. 

Resilience is a quality EMS professionals know well, but it is important to acknowledge when traumatic events and prolonged stress disrupt or impair the ability to function as needed or wanted. The body and mind integrate and adapt to trauma, but when it overwhelms the faculties those adaptations can be unhealthy and become problematic in themselves. Sometimes symptoms of depression, anxiety, outbursts of anger, and other problems can result. The effects of prolonged stress and trauma don't only impact us internally, but can impact the emotional well being of spouses, children and family members as well. Sometimes help is needed to work on healing and moving forward in ways that are helpful. This can be in the form of trauma reprocessing, mindfulness, emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills building, as well as working on healthy communication in relationships.