EMDR for RCMP, Military, and First Responders

EMDR is effective in preventing post-traumatic stress injuries as well as treating post-traumatic symptoms for RCMP and First Responders.

As an RCMP member, military, or veteran, if you find yourself saying, "I am weak if I ask for help," you may find this article helpful.

The Myth of Weakness in Asking for Help

The idea that a police member or first responder is weak if they ask for help is outdated. This myth harms a person's overall well-being and can make the experience of EMDR treatment more difficult, especially if one feels forced to accept therapy after years of service.

Don't wait until you are 30 years active to ask for help. Get help as soon as possible so that you can process any critical incident and prevent the possibility of post-traumatic symptoms from getting stuck in the nervous system.

The Cost of Untreated Trauma

Complex critical incidents can pile up on each other, causing negative symptoms that overwhelm a person over years of service.

Getting help sooner rather than later:

• Protects your health
• Sustains your career
• Maintains your ability to continue working

Regular EMDR therapy helps you process the incidents you encounter so they do not accumulate and overwhelm your nervous system.

How EMDR Therapy Works

EMDR can be used individually or in a group format.

It uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or binaural beats) to help the brain process the worst part of the incident while keeping you grounded in the present.

This method helps the brain unlock what it needs to alleviate negative symptoms such as:

• Nightmares
• Flashbacks
• Hypervigilance
• Hypo-arousal (feeling numb)
• Intrusive images
• Trouble sleeping
• Constant tension or inability to relax

Who Benefits from EMDR Therapy

If you are:

• Having trouble sleeping
• Experiencing intrusive images about work incidents
• Living with nightmares or flashbacks
• Feeling on edge, hyper-vigilant, or unable to relax

You will benefit from EMDR as a therapy.

About Crystal Arber

Crystal Arber is a Registered Social Worker and Registered Clinical Counsellor. She is certified in EMDR and is an EMDR Consultant and Trainer.

She specializes in working with:

• Military, RCMP, and Police officers
• Health care professionals
• Survivors of childhood trauma
• Refugees fleeing war and displacement (using EMDR in a group format)

Crystal runs a private practice dedicated to trauma recovery and PTSD treatment using evidence-based EMDR therapy.

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