42 - Overcoming Trauma Together with Scott McPherson

First Responder Wellness Podcast

42 - Overcoming Trauma Together with Scott McPherson

Scott McPherson shares his experience as a firefighter EMT and Army infantry officer and discusses the importance of addressing the soul wounds of first responders. He explains that soul wounds are perceived or actual actions that transgress deeply held moral values, and they can result from critical incidents with unfavorable outcomes, betrayal, or failure to meet performance standards. Scott emphasizes the need for open and honest conversations about these experiences and the importance of community support in the healing process. He also discusses the Reboot Recovery program, which combines the science of trauma recovery with scripturally based conversations to help first responders and their spouses find healing.

Key Takeaways

• Soul wounds are perceived or actual actions that transgress deeply held moral values and can result in significant emotional and psychological impact on first responders.
• Open and honest conversations about these experiences are crucial for healing and recovery.
• Community support and connection play a vital role in the healing process for first responders and their spouses.
• The Reboot Recovery program combines the science of trauma recovery with scripturally based conversations to provide a comprehensive approach to healing for first responders and their spouses.

ABOUT REBOOT RECOVERY

REBOOT is a national movement of peer-led, faith-based trauma recovery courses with over 400 locations across the US and 11 countries and over 23,000 graduates.

REBOOT courses combine the science of trauma recovery with Scripturally based conversations to address the faith questions that trauma exposure often catalyzes.

Our First Responder REBOOT curriculum (https://rebootrecovery.com/responders/), came from a program that was developed for US combat veterans and their spouses to help address both the post-traumatic stress injuries and the 'soul wounds' associated with their service experiences.

Recognizing that critical incident stress, compassion fatigue and moral injury events also impact first responders and their spouses, we translated the course into their culture and language in 2018.

Since then, we have found the course meets the needs of responders (law enforcement, fire service, EMS, emergency communicators and corrections personnel) and their spouses in ways many other traditional post-traumatic stress approaches do not. This is our answer to the epidemic of first responder mental health challenges.

Spouses are invited to participate to help rebuild lines of communication and understanding that so often break down, as well as to process their own secondary trauma.

The course meets over 12 weeks, with each week taking on a topic common to the first responder experience, such as forgiveness of self and others, processing grief and loss, identity, depression and suicide prevention and managing big emotions like anger.

Scott McPherson is a firefighter/EMT and recently started leading his 9th course rotation along with a co-leader who is a former LEO. He has also led the military version of the course for over a decade. He says, "Each time we see healing and lives changed for participants - which is why we are so passionate about finding ways for more first responders to experience the course."

"We are actively seeking peer leaders who want to bring hope and healing to the responders of their communities. We provide robust leader training, coaching along the way, and all needed online and printed course materials."

To learn more about Reboot Recovery, visit https://rebootrecovery.com/

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