First Responder Mental Health

Dr. Michael Bourke is the former Chief Psychologist for the United States Marshals Service, where he created and headed the USMS Behavioral Analysis Unit.  He is currently in private practice in Springfield, Virginia, where he provides consultation and training in the areas of criminal and behavioral profiling, sex offending, and secondary traumatic stress within public safety professions.  Dr. Bourke is a former firefighter, prison psychologist, and career federal law enforcement officer. He is a current adjunct faculty member at The George Washington University and Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. Vincent Van Hasselt is a President's Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Director of the First Responder Research and Training Program at Nova Southeastern University.  His clinical and research interests are in the areas of critical incident stress management, crisis (hostage) negotiations, mental health problems, and behavioral health and peer support training for police officers and firefighters.  Dr. Van Hasselt is a certified police officer in the State of Florida. 

Dr. Sam J. Buser retired as the senior staff psychologist for one of the nation's largest fire departments.  An Army veteran and former VA psychologist, he is Past-President of the Texas Psychological Association.  A frequent media presenter, he is the co-host of Leaving the Valley, a podcast on suicide prevention.  He has been recognized by the Texas Psychological Association for his Outstanding Contribution to Public Service in helping firefighters.

Chapter 1 Introduction.- Chapter 2 Police officers.- Chapter 3. Firefighters.- Chapter 4. Correctional officers.- Chapter 5. Crime scene investigators.- Chapter 6. Emergency communications operators.- Chapter 7. Pre-employment screenings and fitness for duty evaluations: law enforcement.- Chapter 8. Pre-employment screenings and fitness for duty evaluations: fire services.- Chapter 9. Background investigations Part 3: Prevention Strategies.- Chapter 10. Behavioral health training/peer support programs.- Chapter 11. Safeguarding.- Chapter 12. Wellness, self-care, and mindfulness.- Chapter 13. CISM/debriefings.- Chapter 14. Cognitive-Behavioral therapies.- Chapter 15. EMDR.-  Chapter 16. Exposure therapies.- Chapter 17. Pharmacologic treatments.- Chapter 18. Virtual reality treatments.- Chapter 19. Motivational interviewing.  Chapter 20. Role of the chaplaincy.-  Chapter 21. Clinicians awareness training.-  Chapter 22. Specialized inpatient programs: an illustration 23. Mental health of retired first responders.-  Chapter 24. Employee assistance programs.-  Chapter 25. suicide prevention and intervention.-  Chapter 26. Posttraumatic stress.-  Chapter 27. Family support.-  Chapter 28. Role of first responder administrations.-  Chapter 29, Female first responders.-  Chapter 30. First responders of color.-  Chapter 31. Veterans.-  Chapter 32. LGBTQ Public safety professionals.  Chapter 33. Legal and legislative initiatives (PTSD law, CISM, peer support confidentiality.