“. . .but it was the moment that I recognized I am not taking care of myself. I’m not taking care of my daughter. [...] I’m serving the population I wanna serve, but I’m doing it in a way that’s hurting me and hurting my relationships.” — Cop Shrink Deana
For 12 years, Deana the “Cop Shrink” has answered the calls of over 100 federal, state, and local agencies in need of therapy for their first responders. These men and women have experienced everything from infant deaths to line of duty deaths and natural disasters to mass shootings – critical incidents Deana has experienced, too, as she helps others cope with subsequent depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and burnout. But when the cumulative, traumatic effects of grueling 12-hour days, cross-country flights, cold meals, and missed time with her daughter leave her feeling overwhelmed and helpless, Deana recognizes changes must be made to beat her own burnout.
Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with the “Cop Shrink.” In addition to providing therapy and responding to critical incidents, Deana also teaches basic and advanced officer training at the academy level. She shares her journey to becoming a first responder therapist, which began with her childhood admiration of her grandfather, a police chief. It was when she saw the police psychologist in Lethal Weapon, however, that she knew exactly what she wanted to do. She discusses the many lessons she has learned since that day about setting boundaries, learning to say no, and understanding you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Welcome back to the sixth season of Stories From the Road! Please take a moment to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whatever platform you use to listen. If you’re interested in being a guest on an upcoming episode, visit www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com to learn more.