Why do firefighters often avoid therapy?

Firefighters are known for risking their lives to save others. When everything seems to be going wrong, firefighters are the ones the community turns to for help. Why, then, do the firefighters avoid seeking help for themselves? 

The culture in the firehouse has always been a masculine hegemony. A large part of the culture is the “suck it up,” “walk it off,” or “don’t show emotions” mentality. And while the culture is slowly shifting towards encouraging mental well-being, it is not quite there yet. 

​Another barrier to seeking care is the stories firefighters hear from their brothers and sisters in the service. Often, the reports from firefighters who went to counseling are that the therapist could not handle the trauma the firefighter was talking about. Over a career in the fire service, members will experience a lot of trauma, and they will discuss it as if it were just another day at the office. Because that is exactly what it is, just another day on shift. A therapist who is not ready to hear all the stories can easily become overwhelmed. It’s a lot to take in all at once. 

​Then there are the firefighters who’ve told me their therapist suggested, “...if the job is that stressful, why don’t you get a different job?” Firefighting is not a typical career. It is a vocation, and for some a calling. Often, firefighters have experienced adverse childhood events and are using those ACEs to help other people. Being a firefighter is an identity as well. Asking a firefighter to get a new job is asking them to get a sense of self. 

​Other firefighters talk about having to explain the cultur

e and shift work in the fire service. It can be difficult to schedule appointments when you work every third or fourth day for 24 hours. The environment is not the same as an office; the trust required amongst a crew is literally about trusting someone to save your life and for you to save theirs. You rarely have that level of trust in a 9-5 style job. 

​Firefighters are looking for a reason not to go to therapy. 

​“Therapy is not for me.” 

​“They don’t understand me.”

​“My therapist cried when I told them about a call.”

Therapy is for everybody, even firefighters. 

If you’re a firefighter, paramedic, or law enforcement officer in Orlando looking for support, I offer therapy specifically for first responders.