EAP can be a joke... If you want real, quality, and culturally competent clinicians that specialize in the world of first responders; you're gonna have to search for it...

Good thing for you?  You get to meet one of those folks today on the show as we talk all about the specialized nature of mental health with wildland firefighters and first responders.

Shannon Mead is a local clinician here in Reno, Nevada who specializes in this caveat of practice...

Heres a little more about Shannon:

"As a therapist, adoptive mom, and friend/family member to a whole bunch of first responders - I know that helping takes a heavy toll on those who are willing to shoulder the burden. And unfortunately, the existing supports aren’t always helpful (to put it kindly). Whether I am working with individuals, couples, or an entire organization, my purpose is to strengthen those who sacrifice for our community.  

I have a Masters degree in Couple and Family Therapy from Antioch University and a corporate coaching certificate from Fielding University. I am intrigued by systems and patterns, and as a therapist I tend to be practical and straightforward. Perhaps that is because I spent many years as a tech and data consultant before pivoting into counseling. 

Over the years I have become increasingly interested in compassion fatigue and secondary trauma, and focused most of my research on these topics. As a foster/adoptive parent I have felt the burden myself, but have also seen it in the lives of my guardian friends and family. I absolutely hate that those who step in to help are often chewed up by the roles and I’m working hard to do something about it."

She is just one of the many "culturally competent clinicians" out there that are available... Please feel free to use her practice as a resource this season.

You can find her practice here:

https://www.stackofstones.com

Call her, email her, do whatever you need to do to take care of yourselves before, during, and after the fire season!

Hope everyone is doing well...

You know the drill...

Stay safe, stay savage...

Enjoy!

..........................
Updates!

EXCLUSIVE MERCH coming soon!

We launched a Patreon!!! If you guys would like to support us, head over to our Patreon Page!

https://www.patreon.com/theanchorpointpodcast

..........................

Sponsors:

The Anchor Point Podcast is supported by the following wonderful folks...

Mystery Ranch
Need badass packs? Then look no further than Mystery Ranch!
https://www.mysteryranch.com

Hotshot Brewery
Wanna pick up our Anchor Point Podcast merch or need killer coffee? Hit up Hotshot Brewery!!!
https://www.hotshotbrewing.com

The Smokey Generation
Wanna get some history and knowledge on Wildland Fire? Hit up The Smokey Generation!
http://wildfire-experience.org

Not a sponsor of The Anchor Point Podcast, but a great organization:

The Wildland Firefighter Foundation
And, as always, please consider supporting this great nonprofit organization - The Wildland Firefighter Foundation!
https://wffoundation.org