First Responder Counseling

"First Responder Wife to Lifescape Therapist"
by Dena Paniccia, LCSW-QS14217, Certified First Responder Counselor

CRRA, C-CATP, C-TMH

Dena Paniccia LLC.

From the traditionally identified first responders to the dispatchers, nurses, social workers and many others there is no doubt that first responder families have a family dynamic unlike any other. As a law enforcement officer's wife, I realize how much our first responders and their families need the support of someone who "gets it." Though first responders and their families may try to push it to the back of their minds, we know what it's like to not have a guarantee that everyone in their family will come home at night. We feel the stress of dealing with instability in schedules, and knowing that our entire family won't be able to make every important holiday, birthday or celebration. And that these families don't get to be together during some of the most stressful times, like that of natural disaster.

Often those close to us don't quite understand why responders can't just "take the day off," every time. These families have struggled with acceptance that working days, nights, mid shift, A side or B side can change at any given moment, without the family's input. The trauma and life disruptions that first responders and their family goes through can feel never ending. Our warriors see horrifying events consistently, and the family hears maybe but a portion of this as to not worry anyone. The rule of thumb being "suck it up. It's part of the job. You signed up for this."

Trusting outside of the inner circle is difficult because it's hard for others to quite understand the life of a first responder family. Because, the first and secondary trauma these first responders and their families see and hear is unlike any other job. The average person experiences one traumatic event in their lives, but first responders can experience these events every shift. And it changes everything about the perception of the life these responders and their families live. I am honored to be able to begin a confidential journey of acceptance and healing with my entire first responder family.

To schedule with Dena, call 239-450-7155 or email her at lifescapeinfoDP@protonmail.com.