First Responder Support

Support is closer than you think — here’s how to reach it.

You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Below are simple ways to connect with me and with a community that understands the first responder experience. Whether you’re looking for group connection, education, or a private 1:1 call, these options are available to you right now.

A safe space to connect with peers who understand the unique challenges of the job. Come as you are — no pressure, just support.


Guided mindfulness and breathwork to calm the nervous system and create a sense of peace.


Monthly workshops designed to explore a variety of wellness topics, build connection, and take away new practices each month.


A complimentary one-on-one call to ask questions, explore resources, and find your next steps.

Powerful Resources, All in One Place

Explore this curated list of programs, therapies, and tools designed for first responders and their families. Some are national links, others are ideas you can find locally. Use what supports you best and begin building your own path to resilience and wellness.

  • Immersive Post-Traumatic Growth Programs

    • Boulder Crest Foundation (Warrior PATHH) — 90-day peer-delivered program (7-day immersive start).
      🔗 bouldercrest.org

    • Avalon Action Alliance — Partners with Boulder Crest to connect responders/veterans with Warrior PATHH, TBI programs, and Warrior’s Heart rehab.
      🔗 avalonactionalliance.org

    • Save A Warrior (SAW) — Community-based resiliency program for responders and military.
      🔗 saveawarrior.org

    Trauma & Recovery Treatment Centers

    • Warrior’s Heart — Specialized inpatient/outpatient care for substance abuse, PTSD, and co-occurring conditions.
      🔗 warriorsheart.com

    • Deer Hollow Recovery & Wellness Centers — Trauma and addiction recovery with evidence-based therapies (EMDR, DBT, CPT, etc.).
      🔗 deerhollowrecovery.com

    First Responder-Specific Retreats

    • First Responder Support Network (FRSN) — WCPR (West Coast Post-Trauma Retreat), SOS for families, and peer support training.
      🔗 frsn.org

    • Resiliency1st, Inc. — Responder-focused retreats and trainings designed to build wellness and resilience.
      🔗 resiliency1st.org

    • 11th Hour Retreat — Restorative retreats for first responders seeking reset and reconnection.
      🔗 11thhourretreat.com

    • Rekindled Retreats — Founded by a first responder, offering restorative retreats to support healing and reconnection.
      🔗 rekindledretreats.com

    Faith-Centered Programs

    • Mighty Oaks Foundation — Free, peer-based 5- to 6-day recovery programs at ranches for responders and veterans.
      🔗 mightyoaksprograms.org

    Supportive Nonprofits & Resource Hubs

    • Disaster Responder Assets Network (DRAN) — Crisis support, training events, and responder education.
      🔗 disasterassets.org

    • The Overwatch Collective — Funds therapy sessions, connects responders to vetted therapists, and hosts the Overwatch podcast.
      🔗 overwatchcollective.org

    • Fire Family Foundation — Provides financial aid, mental health support, scholarships, and survivor assistance to firefighter families.
      🔗 firefamilyfoundation.org

    • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing)
      Evidence-based therapy for processing traumatic memories. Best with a licensed trauma therapist.

    • Brainspotting
      A therapy approach similar to EMDR, using eye position to access unprocessed trauma.

    • CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
      Focuses on shifting unhelpful thought patterns and building healthy coping strategies.

    • Neurofeedback Therapy
      Uses brainwave monitoring and feedback to help regulate the nervous system.

    • ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy)
      A rapid trauma treatment approach using visualization and memory reconsolidation.
      🔗 https://acceleratedresolutiontherapy.com

    • Free Therapy for Children of First Responders
      Provided through the 1st Responder Children’s Foundation.
      🔗 https://1strcf.org/mental-health/

  • PTSD & Mental Health

    • PTSD Coach — Developed by the VA’s National Center for PTSD; education, self-assessments, and coping tools.
      🔗 mobile.va.gov/app/ptsd-coach

    • Mindfulness Coach — VA’s evidence-based app offering a step-by-step mindfulness practice.
      🔗 mobile.va.gov/app/mindfulness-coach

    • Life Saver Academy — First responder support app created by AK Dozanti, with stress relief tools, resources, and community connection.
      🔗 play.google.com

    Meditation & Mindfulness

    • Insight Timer — Free meditation app with thousands of guided sessions and music tracks.
      🔗 insighttimer.com

    • Headspace — Simple meditation and mindfulness for stress management, sleep, and focus.
      🔗 headspace.com

    • Calm — Meditation, Sleep Stories, breathing exercises, and relaxation music.
      🔗 calm.com

    Stress & Mood Tools

    • The Tapping Solution — Guided EFT tapping sessions for stress, anxiety, and better sleep.
      🔗 thetappingsolution.com

    • Spiritune — Music-based app designed to regulate mood, focus, and stress (free for military and families via partner programs).
      🔗 spiritune.com

    Cognitive & Learning

    • Elevate — Brain-training games to sharpen focus, memory, reading, and math skills.
      🔗 elevateapp.com

  • Trauma & Recovery

    • Struggle Well — Ken Falke & Josh Goldberg 🔗 Amazon

    • Operator Syndrome Dr. Chris Frueh 🔗 Amazon

    • The Choice — Dr. Edith Eva Eger 🔗 Amazon

    • The Body Keeps the Score — Bessel van der Kolk 🔗 Amazon

    • Solving the Post Traumatic Stress Brain Injury Puzzle — Linda Green 🔗 Amazon

    • Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging — Sebastian Junger 🔗 Amazon

    • Surviving the Shadows — Bob Delaney with Dave Scheiber 🔗 Amazon

    • Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton — Taylor Baldwin Kiland & Peter Fretwell 🔗 Amazon

    • Waking the Tiger — Peter A. Levine 🔗 Amazon

    Personal Growth & Resilience

    • The Gifts of Imperfection (10th Anniversary Edition) — Brené Brown ?? Amazon

    • Excommunicated Warrior — Nick Koumalatsos 🔗 Amazon

    • Triumphing in Truth — Ace Aspiras 🔗 Amazon

    • What Color Is Your Parachute? (2024 Edition) — Richard N. Bolles 🔗 Amazon

    • How To Do The Work — Nicole LePera 🔗 Amazon

    • Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents — Lindsay C. Gibson ?? Amazon

    • Atomic Habits — James Clear 🔗 Amazon

    • The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — Stephen R. Covey 🔗 Amazon

    • The Alchemist — Paulo Coelho 🔗 Amazon

    Spirituality & Presence

    First Responder Families & Well-Being

    • Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement — Kevin M. Gilmartin, Ph.D.
      🔗 Amazon

    • I Love a Cop (Third Edition) — Ellen Kirschman, Ph.D. 🔗 Amazon

    • I Love a Fire Fighter (Second Edition) — Ellen Kirschman, Ph.D. 🔗 Amazon

    • The 5 Love Languages — Gary Chapman 🔗 Amazon

    Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me keep sharing resources for the first responder community.

    • Linda Green – Courage Into Action Mentoring(Author: Solving the PTSD Puzzle)
      Trauma-informed life coaching rooted in first responder experience.
      🔗 encouragegreen.com

    • AK Dozanti – Life Saver Wellness Academy
      Former deputy sheriff and author of Beat the Burnout, offering coaching on resilience, post-traumatic growth, and burnout recovery.
      🔗 akdozanti.com

    • Megan O’Connor – Peer Support & Coaching
      Retired Fire Engineer/Paramedic and Certified Life Coach providing peer support and coaching to help first responders rebuild resilience.
      🔗 4valiantcore.com

    • Sarah Grace – Holistic PTSD Recovery Coaching
      Holistic tools and mindset support for PTSD recovery, from a retired paramedic.
      🔗 sarahkgrace.com

    • Greg Furnia – Living the Good Life Coach
      Certified life coach with decades of law enforcement experience, focused on personal resilience, leadership, career growth, and life balance for first responders.
      🔗 livingthegoodlifecoach.com

    • Chris Warren – First Responder Coaching
      Coaching tailored to life after the badge — career transitions, resilience, and reintegration.
      📧 Email Chris gbca3784@gmail.com

    • First Responder Coaching Services
      One-on-one, couples, and group coaching for responders and their families, offering workshops and multi-week programs on resilience and stress management.
      🔗 1strespondercoaching.org

    • Transcendental Meditation (TM.org)
      Evidence-based meditation practice using a simple mantra technique. TM has been shown to reduce stress, improve focus, and support resilience.
      Visit Site

    • Breatheology – Breathwork for First Responders
      A training program tailored to the needs of first responders, teaching practical breathwork techniques to manage stress, improve performance, and support recovery.
      Visit Site

    • Explore Locally or via Apps
      Many communities offer meditation or breathwork classes. You can also try apps like Insight Timer or Headspaceto get started right away.

    • Responder First Wellness (Integrative Psychiatry — Napa & Telehealth)
      Culturally competent care for first responders: medication management, hormones, supplements, and personalized wellness plans.
      Visit Site

    • Pam McDonald — ApoE Gene Diet
      Offers genetic testing and a personalized nutrition program.
      Visit Site

    • Nutritionist or Health Coach
      Nutrition is foundational to resilience and recovery. Search for a certified nutritionist, dietitian, or health coach near you or through telehealth.

    • Holistic & Functional Medicine Providers
      Practitioners who take a whole-body approach by looking at your history, lifestyle, and lab work to create individualized treatment plans. Search for a naturopathic, integrative, or functional medicine doctor near you.

    • Supplement Guidance
      Vitamins, minerals, and herbal supports can help with sleep, stress, and recovery, but should be personalized. Look for guidance from a nutritionist, naturopath, or functional medicine provider.

  • Featured Program

    • Human Garage — Whole-body alignment and fascia release to reset the nervous system. Free Program.
      🔗 humangarage.net

    Hands-On Therapies

    • Acupuncture (NADA Protocol) — Supports nervous system regulation.

    • Chiropractic Care — Realignment to ease tension and stress.

    • Massage Therapy & Bodywork — Relaxes muscles and releases stored stress.

    • Bowen Therapy — Gentle technique to activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

    Energy & Sound Practices

    • Chakra Balancing — Offered at many healing centers.

    • Sound Meditation / Sound Baths — Vibrational healing to reset the CNS.

    Brain & Nervous System Training

    • Neuroplasticity Practices — Exercises, courses, and books to rewire the brain.

    • Yoga
      Builds flexibility, strength, and nervous system regulation. Search for local yoga studios or try online platforms.
      🔗 https://www.dailyom.com
      🔗 https://asanarebel.com

    • Meditation
      Supports focus, calm, and resilience. Explore in-person classes or online resources.
      🔗 https://www.headspace.com
      🔗 https://insighttimer.com

    • Fitness & Group Training
      Structured workouts and accountability can boost both physical and mental health. Look for local gyms, CrossFit, or group classes near you.
      🔗 https://www.beachbody.com
      🔗 YouTube workouts

    • Outdoor Hobby Groups
      Activities like hiking, biking, or paddleboarding combine movement with community connection. Search for local meetup groups or recreation clubs in your area.

    • CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder)
      Assessment to identify your top strengths and improve communication. Coaches are trained to help you interpret results and apply them in your work and relationships.
      Visit Site

    • Enneagram Institute
      A personality framework that shows how you respond in stress and growth. Many coaches are trained to guide deeper exploration and application of your type.
      Visit Site

    • WomanSpeak
      Speaking practice that builds confidence, helps you find your voice, and connect with purpose. It’s also a deeply healing practice — offering a safe space to be seen, supported, and to reclaim your voice with strength and authenticity.
      Visit Site

    • Toastmasters International
      Public speaking and leadership practice in a supportive community. It’s a powerful way to build confidence, practice vulnerability, and strengthen your ability to communicate with clarity in all areas of life.
      Visit Site

  • First Responder Coaching – 15 Resources to Support First Responders
    A curated collection of crisis lines, retreats, wellness programs, and support organizations.
    🔗 1strespondercoaching.org/15-resources-to-support-first-responders

If you’d like guidance or have any questions, please feel free to schedule a 1:1 connection call with me. And if you know of resources that should be added to this list, I’d love to hear from you — please send them my way.


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