First responders are prone to experiencing acute and chronic trauma, burnout, and compassion fatigue. Acute trauma happens after a single traumatizing event, while chronic trauma happens because of repeated exposure.

The core idea behind EMDR therapy is that traumatic experiences can become “stuck” in the brain’s processing mechanisms. When trauma doesn’t get processed correctly, it can lead to symptoms like intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, reactivity to triggers, and avoiding places and things that are reminiscent of the trauma.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that is a modified type of cognitive behavioral therapy. Here are the four key skills that DBT sessions work to build and how you benefit from them.

For some people, life after trauma goes back to normal. However, other people may struggle for years with the aftereffects. Those who are deeply affected by their trauma might develop PTSD and experience symptoms that interrupt their day-to-day lives.