Restore
First responders spend four days at the Franciscan Center located on eight acres along the eastern banks of the Hillsborough River. This private and peaceful setting allows individuals to connect with the other first responders who have faced the same constant stream of critical incidents. Participants begin by identifying their cumulative stress reactions to various traumatic experiences during the course of their careers.
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The program serves all faiths and utilizes a combination of education sessions, group process, proven scientific methods for reprocessing traumatic events, and one-on-one confidential sessions. Each participant receives a certificate for 40 CEU's from the Florida Regional Community Policing Institute at St Petersburg College.
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"This course was the most profound personal and spiritual experience I've ever had. It gave me insight into pain that was hidden from even me." - Tampa Police Officer
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A team of Eye Movement Desensitization and Repocessing (EMDR) practitioners led by practitioners who are psychologists and mental health counselors and trauma experts, guides first responders through a nationally recognized and evidence based method for reprocessing critical incidents. the U.S. Armed Forces utilized EMDR to assist active and retired military personnel suffering from post traumatic stress. This process will help first responders process their thoughts and feelings about their most traumatic incidents.
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The process utilizes certified police chaplains and licensed mental health counselors and/or pysychologists. This process helps first responders realize tha many of their peers face similar challenges due to the nature of their chosen profession. This sense of community is a critical step in restoring them to a better state of mind.
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The holistic training includes educational sessions each day that help participants understand the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual impact that critical incidents have on them. It also provides them with a tool kit of new ways to cope with these daily stressors. These range from breathing exercises to nutritional and exercise plans and skills for improving stress management.
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Each day starts with a short guided meditation to build skills for maintaining a sense of peace in their daily life. In between sessions, participants have time for personal reflectionn on the scenic property or group recreational activities. Throughout the training, participants have confidential one-on-one sessions wiht chaplains, peer support and counselors.