Category: First Responders

79: “We Will Never Forget” Remembering 9/11 with Retired San Jose CA Fire Captain David C. Lerma

Interview with Retired San Jose Fire Captain David C. Lerma

David Lerma is a retired Captain from San Jose Fire Department. David retired in 2009, after serving for 29 years. During this time, David received numerous certificates and commendations, including a Medal of Valor for his service at the World Trade Center attack.

David is certified in high and low angle rope rescue, structure collapse and confined space rescue, and is a certified instructor for Rescue Systems One and Swift Water Rescue. David is also a long-standing member of Los Bomberos of Northern CA, a nonprofit organization that strives to improve fire protection to communities throughout Santa Clara County, and is committed to serving the community through volunteer opportunities, partnerships such as Toys for Tots, and scholarship and mentorship programs. David has proudly served his community as a member of Los Bomberos for over 40 years!

 

Resources mentioned:

We’ve pulled together any resources mentioned in this episode and put together some links:

Los Bomberos of Northern California

“We want to serve the community of San Jose with all the support we can give. Whether it is giving backpacks and supplies to kids to help them succeed in their school year or to give children toys that they deserve to open on Christmas morning just like any other child. We want to serve any and better their lives.” ( https://losbomberosofnortherncalifornia.com/, 2023)

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Episodes  – Therapists Uncut

Thank you for allowing us into your lives and helping us make mental health more relatable and a part of your everyday conversation! For more information or to access all episodes visit TherapistsUncut.com.

 

What is the Therapists Uncut Podcast:

The Therapists Uncut Podcast is a light-hearted, informative self-help podcast for grown-ups. It is hosted by three off-the-clock therapists hoping to validate your experiences, normalize therapy and therapists, and help you prioritize your mental health.

Who are the Therapists Uncut Podcast Co-Hosts:

Nikki Young (they/them/theirs) is co-host of Therapists Uncut and a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Nikki keeps it personable and professional. Yet,  always manages to keep the TU Crew laughing. You may find them squirreling through topics, stories, or jokes, and all in good fun. Don’t worry because someone will bring them back around to the conversation. Nikki is a licensed marriage and family therapist in their private practice located in Modesto, CA, and is also a Crisis Junkie at heart. In addition to being co-owner of a group private practice, they is also a crisis clinician responding to local mental health crisis and emergencies. Learn more about Nikki at catalystcounselinginc.com

Alyssa Najera (she/her/hers) is co-host of Therapists Uncut and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Alyssa is typically calm and composed on most days, but often has difficulty containing her excitement about the little things in life. She loves to laugh, spread positivity, and is often caught with a smile on her face. Alyssa is also a Child Welfare Services social worker and supervisor alumni, previous child sexual abuse forensic interviewer, trainer and consultant, and CEO of a group private practice in the small town of Oakdale, CA. Learn more about Alyssa at smalltowncounseling.com  or alyssanajera.com.

Disclaimer:

Thank you for joining Therapists Uncut, a production of AMP Smart Business. To learn more about Therapists Uncut and stay up on upcoming episodes, please subscribe and follow us on social media. As a reminder, although the Therapists Uncut co-hosts are licensed therapists, they are not your therapist. This podcast is not intended to substitute professional mental health counseling. If you need professional therapy, please contact your local provider or primary care provider.  Thanks for listening and we’ll see you on the next episode of Therapists Uncut!

Social Media Links

Instagram @therapistsuncut

Facebook @therapistsuncut

Credits:

Therapists Uncut is a production of AMP Smart Business.

Voice Over by Alexia Gloria

 

76: Mental Health and Law Enforcement with Officer Mitch Brouillette

    In this episode, Officer Mitch Brouillette return to the Therapists Uncut Podcast to talk about the various ways issues and topics of mental health have shown up in his 20-year career in law enforcement. The TU Crew covers trends and…

73: Officer Mitch Brouillette on Benefits of School Resource Officers (SRO)

  Not only is Officer Mitch Brouilette a seasoned and knowledgeable law enforcement officer, but he is also caring, humble, and basically famous after 20M+ views of a DUDE. Be nice video showcasing Heritage High’s gratitude for their very own…

62: Secondary Traumatic Stress: Know When the Traumatic Experience of Others is Negatively Impacting You

  Now that we’ve spent time talking about how to recognize trauma and battle burnout in the workplace, it’s only fitting we move right into how to recognize signs of Secondary Trauma. Secondary Traumatic Stress can be any combination of…

61: Battling Burnout in the Workplace

 

High rates of employee burnout are documented in industries including healthcare, human services, and first responders. More recently, the battle with burnout is now reported across industries including tech, manufacturing, law, education, and hospitality, to name a few. Join licensed mental health professionals Nikki Young and Alyssa Najera as they describe signs of burnout, explore how burnout symptoms can negatively affect your mood, behaviors, and relationships, and challenge organization leaders to assess their own resources for addressing burnout.  

 

In this episode we talk about: 

Burnout is the extended period of physical and/or emotional exhaustion, it can almost feel like you’re on autopilot as you navigate your workday. If your industry or organization already struggled with high levels of burnout, the pandemic likely exacerbated those levels. In this episode, Nikki Young and Alyssa Najera discuss 

  • What is Burnout 
  • Cognitive, physical, and behavioral signs of burnout 
  • Using self-awareness and input from others you trust to help you determine your own burnout levels 

 

Resources mentioned: 

We’ve pulled together any resources mentioned in this episode and put together some links:  

If you notice you are experiencing signs of burnout practice self-care, healthy habits, and self-assessments to help you decide where you are and where you want to be physically and mentally. If you recognize recurring bouts of burnout, you may need to assess how to implement healthy coping and anticipatory coping skills that will help you deal with and work through work-related stressors or evaluate your employment overall and whether or not it’s time to search for new opportunities. For a burnout assessment resource, click on the link below. 

https://proqol.org/proqol-measure 

Listen to Therapists Uncut episodes for tips on self-care, positive coping skills, and evaluating whether or not “To get or not to get the F*** out of Dodge.” 

Thank you for allowing us into your lives and helping us make mental health relatable and a part of your everyday conversation! For more information or to access all episodes visit TherapistsUncut.com. 

 

What is the Therapists Uncut Podcast: 

The Therapists Uncut Podcast is a light-hearted, informative self-help podcast for grown-ups. It is hosted by off-the-clock therapists hoping to validate your experiences, normalize therapy and therapists, and help you prioritize your mental health.  

Who are the Therapists Uncut Podcast Co-Hosts: 

Nikki Young is co-host of Therapists Uncut and a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Nikki keeps it personable and professional. Yet, she always manages to keep the Therapists Uncut family and followers laughing. You may find her squirreling through topics, stories, or jokes, and all in good fun. Don’t worry because someone will bring her back around to the conversation. Nikki is a licensed marriage and family therapist in her private practice located in Modesto, CA, and she is also a Crisis Junkie at heart. In addition to being co-owner of a group private practice, she is also a crisis clinician responding to local mental health crisis and emergencies. Learn more about Nikki at catalystcounselinginc.com 

Alyssa Najera is co-host of Therapists Uncut and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Alyssa is typically calm and composed on most days, but often has difficulty containing her excitement about the little things in life. She loves to laugh, spread positivity, and is often caught with a smile on her face. Alyssa is also a Child Welfare Services social worker and supervisor alumni, previous child sexual abuse forensic interviewer, trainer and consultant, and CEO of a group private practice in the small town of Oakdale, CA. Learn more about Alyssa at smalltowncounselingca.com or alyssanajera.com. 

Disclaimer: 

Thank you for joining Therapists Uncut, a production of AMP Smart Business. To learn more about Therapists Uncut and stay up on upcoming episodes, please subscribe and follow us on social media. As a reminder, although the Therapists Uncut co-hosts are licensed therapists, they are not your therapist. This podcast is not intended to substitute professional mental health counseling. If you need professional therapy, please contact your local provider or primary care provider.  Thanks for listening and we’ll see you on the next episode of Therapists Uncut!  

Social Media Links 

 Instagram @therapistsuncut 

Facebook @therapistsuncut 

Credits: 

Therapists Uncut is a production of AMP Smart Business 

Voice Over by Alexia Gloria 

51: Men’s Mental Health

  Our culture likes to remind us, in more way than one, that it’s expected for men to suppress their emotions and avoid being vulnerable in expressing their feelings. Alyssa Najera, LCSW, and Nikki Young, LMFT discuss the importance of men’s…

Chaplain Dave Williams Demystifies His Role With Law Enforcement and First Responders

  Chaplain Dave Williams Demystifies  His Role With Law Enforcement and First Responders Interview with Chaplain Dave Williams Guest Bio Being invited to serve alongside first responders in a pastoral role is not for every pastor, but it has…

PTSD IS Not Life Ending, But It Is Life Altering – An In-Depth Discussion on PTSD, Depression, And Suicide

The group goes deep into signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and suicide as they reflect on the most recent interview with Officer Shaw on his personal experience with PTSD and first responder mental health. When we experience…

Officer Michael Shaw Shares His Personal Story On Suicide and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Part 2 of 2

Officer Michael Shaw experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of losing his best friend and fellow law enforcement officer to suicide. In part 2 of this interview, Officer Shaw discusses the importance of seeking support despite…

Officer Michael Shaw Shares His Personal Story on Suicide and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Part 1 of 2

Michael Shaw shares his personal story of how the loss of his best friend to suicide had a long lasting impact on his personal and professional life. Matt was not only Officer Shaw’s best friend and roommate, but also a Deputy Sheriff. In this…