In this episode, Cyndi sits down with Kate Pieper, LMFT, who specializes in trauma and resilience for first responders. Kate shares her "Holding Onto Happy" resilience model (H.A.P.P.Y.), designed to help law enforcement officers, police spouses, and first responder families build habits, regulate emotions, and recover from trauma. Together, they discuss practical ways officers and couples can "floss their brains," prevent burnout, and stay connected to their why—both individually and as a couple.

👮‍♀️ What You'll Learn in This Episode:

The H.A.P.P.Y. model for resilience and why it works for first responder families

Daily habits that protect mental health (gratitude, exercise, meditation, sleep)

How to "floss your brain" and prevent emotional burnout

The power of perspective, permission, and knowing your why

How law enforcement couples can build resilience together

Cyndi Doyle is the founder of Code4Couples®, licensed professional counselor supervisor, retired police spouse, author of Hold the Line, and host of the Code4Couples Podcast. She helps law enforcement officers and their spouses protect their relationships and build resilience.

📖 Grab Cyndi's Book: Hold the Line

👉 https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Line-Protecting-Enforcement-Relationship-ebook/dp/B08TPRTY9G#customerReviews

🎤 Book Cyndi for Training or Speaking

👉 https://code4couples.com/training/

🌐 Connect with Kate Pieper, LMFT

Website: https://katepieperlmft.com

Email: [email protected]

00:00 – Introduction & Kate's background 05:00 – The story behind "Holding Onto Happy" 12:00 – Daily resilience habits: gratitude, sleep, exercise, meditation 20:00 – Flossing your brain: what it means for officers 28:00 – The importance of perspective & permission 36:00 – Knowing your why: building resilient identity 45:00 – Applying resilience habits as a couple 52:00 – Resources & how to connect with Kate