Top-Rated First Responder Therapist in Chicago
As a first responder, you face challenges every day. Seeking therapy is a sign of strength and resilience that can significantly improve your quality of life.
Find therapy for first responders with our top-rated first responder therapist and receive support today.
Why First Responder Therapy Is Important
First responders can face many challenges both on the job and off. These challenges include frequent exposure to death, grief, pain, and loss, or the experience of intense workloads, all while having to be away from family. Even the most emotionally healthy people can be affected by the role of being a first responder. Below are common challenges of being a first responder.
Common Challenges First Responders Face:
Mental health challenges: First responders often experience traumatic situations along with consistent stress that non-first responders find hard to imagine. It’s common for individuals in these roles to encounter feelings of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Long hours away from loved ones: First responders generally work within 8-12-hour shifts. Therefore, many first responders do not get the ability to be at home when the rest of their families are, or even be awake during “normal” waking hours, due to specified schedules. They also often need to miss important anniversaries, children's sports games, and even major holidays. At times, first responders must put their own wants and needs behind the job to ensure that the safety of the public is put first.
Safety Risks: First responders often must put themselves in dangerous situations, putting their lives at risk to ensure the safety of the public. It is crucial to recognize the sacrifices first responders make for the people they protect. With these sacrifices come challenges that may be difficult to face alone. That’s why first responder wellness is so crucial. With therapy for first responders in Chicago, IL, you’re provided an ethical, safe, and confidential place to process your experiences.
How SG Therapy can help you
Therapy for first responders in Chicago, IL, can significantly benefit them by providing a confidential, safe, and empathetic space to process traumatic experiences and emotions. The first responder profession is demanding, and it is important that individuals have access to therapists and therapeutic approaches that are understanding of the profession. A first responder therapist can assist by providing essential tools to meet the needs and protect the well-being of the people who make up this profession.
Therapy for first responders at SGTG can empower you to:
Attain confidentiality: Because first responders often find themselves encountering traumatic situations, having a space to process these instances in a healthy and supportive environment can give them time to discuss feelings of frustration, stress, anxiety, and grief.
Build resilience: Reaching out to a therapist can strengthen the resilience of first responders, help them navigate handling future challenges in a healthy manner, and maintain overall mental well-being.
Increase coping skills: Therapists can assist first responders in learning positive coping skills that can be utilized to navigate situations on the job or even at home with family and friends.
There are many benefits a first responder can attain from working with a therapist. But it’s important to remember that seeing a therapist doesn’t mean anything is “wrong” with you or that you need “fixing”. Many people need to have someone they can process life events with outside of their immediate circles. Therapists bring a confidential and non-judgmental mindset – they’re present solely for you to talk about what’s on your mind.
Top-Rated First Responder Therapist in Chicago
Molly Adams, LCSW
Molly is a Certified First Responder Counselor. This certification is a 50-hour course that equips mental health clinicians with the necessary skills to effectively support first responders. These skills include emphasizing cultural competence, expertise, confidence, and empathy. Therefore, Molly is equipped with extensive experience to treat first responder wellness.
In addition to this training, Molly is a first responder herself! Working in the field for several years, she knows firsthand what experiences this population can endure. This level of knowledge can greatly benefit the client-clinician relationship, which is the most important part of the therapeutic process.
SG Therapy Group: A Boutique Approach to First Responder Therapy in Chicago
At SG Therapy Group, we believe in the transformative power of therapy for first responders. SGTG’s mission is to provide clients with compassionate care that meets clients where they are and empowers them to create change. Utilizing evidence-based methods, our clinician who specializes in working with first responders is committed to honoring their dedication by providing them with the care and support they truly deserve.We’re also in-network with Medical Mutual and Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO for those looking to use insurance. We can help you verify benefits before your first session, but we recommend contacting your insurance provider for the most accurate information.
Areas of Focus in First Responder Therapy
Molly specializes in three areas when treating first responders. Read more about each approach below.
1. Trauma Therapy for First Responders: Rogerian Therapy
Rogerian or person-centered therapy is a talk therapy that can be used to allow first responders to identify, process, and cope with traumatic events experienced on the job as well as off.
Rogerian therapy uses an individual's motivation to address traumatic experiences and work through problem-solving measures based on their strengths. This approach can help an individual, alongside their therapist, learn about their PTSD symptoms as well as what barriers these symptoms may be creating between the self, relationships, and other responsibilities that are identified as important.
2. Anxiety: CBT
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is another talk therapy that is used by therapists to manage first responder wellness and address feelings of anxiety related to thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
A therapist trained in CBT can assist first responders in identifying negative thought patterns that correlate with anxiety and fear – also known as “distortions”.
A way to combat these distortions related to anxiety is to challenge and reframe them with more realistic thoughts. As a result of more balanced ways of thinking, anxious feelings and physical behaviors can quieten.
3. Grief Therapy for First Responders: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Grief can create a variety of different human reactions and responses, which can be difficult to overcome alone.
Acceptance and Commitment therapy is a unique approach to managing grief. It works by acknowledging the difficult and often painful emotions that take place when grieving, and focuses on accepting things as they are rather than trying to control them.
Your first responder therapist can assist you in processing and acknowledging these feelings using mindfulness techniques, identifying how they are affecting your everyday life, and providing support in recognizing individual values and ambitions. These steps can help you move through your journey of grief.
Find First Responder Therapy in Chicago Near West Loop
SG Therapy Group offers therapy at a convenient office location: 901 W Jackson Blvd, Suite 401, Chicago, IL 60607, in West Loop.
Our West Loop office is located a short walk from the UIC-Halsted CTA Blue Line, making it easily accessible if you're coming from Greektown, Fulton Market, the Near West Side, UIC, and the Illinois Medical District. You can also get to us via bus route 126 or by using the Divvy bike share, as we have a Divvy bike rack in front of our building.
Our location is also a short distance from several police and fire departments, making us easily accessible for first responders starting or leaving shift.
If you're driving to our West Loop office, there is paid street and garage parking available. We recommend giving yourself plenty of time to find parking, so you can arrive without the stress of running late.
Success Stories From First Responders We’ve Helped
Success looks different for every individual who decides to engage in therapy for first responders in Chicago, IL. Therapists who specialize in working with first responders should be able to tailor their approaches, questions, and skills to meet the needs of what someone is looking for. Here are a few examples:
Success in first responder therapy might mean recognizing the need to balance your commitment to your profession with personal well-being. This involves addressing how dedicating all your time and energy to work can strain relationships with family, friends, and hobbies. A first responder has worked with Molly to navigate what areas they feel they are neglecting in life and worked to set physical and emotional boundaries to restore balance.
Another example of success is coming to therapy to process trauma a first responder experienced, and resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or drugs. Molly has worked with responders to identify healthier coping mechanisms that allow them to acknowledge their ability to have choices in how they cope with a traumatic event. In addition, processing the trauma allows responders to develop a connection with their therapist that aids in feeling less isolated.