Immersive Healing: VR Therapy for Anxiety, Phobia and PTSD
By Derek Sienko, M.A., in Military Psychology, BSW., RSW, Chaplain, RTWDM, & CVRP. Mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and operational stress injuries can profoundly impact our ability to thrive, often leaving us feeling overwhelmed. However, the power of 21st-century technology, combined with the guidance of a highly experienced clinical therapist, can help alleviate emotional […]
Strong, Steady, Ready: Regulating Stress in Real Time Policing
Published in National Police Federation (npf-fpn.com) August 18, 2025 For police officers, the job demands split-second decisions, high-stakes encounters, and repeated exposure to human suffering and conflict. These stressors can push the mind and body outside what psychologists call the “Window of Tolerance” the optimal zone of arousal where we think clearly, feel grounded, and respond effectively.
RCMP National Reintegration program helps officers return to work after trauma
By Mara Shaw. Published on RCMP.ca on June 24, 2025 Image by RCMP. After nearly two decades in uniform, RCMP Corporal Mark Ryttersgaard is no stranger to high-stress calls. Since his first posting in Saskatchewan in 2007, Ryttersgaard has handled a wide range of incidents – and even more emotionally-stressful scenes – as a forensic identification specialist […]
“I am fine”: The Deadly Cost of Self-Stigma
Despite growing awareness, many first responders struggle not only with the symptoms of mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, but also with self-stigma, a powerful internal barrier that discourages help-seeking and perpetuates suffering. Self-stigma occurs when individuals internalize negative societal beliefs about mental illness, leading to shame, self-doubt, and avoidance of support. […]
Option: We are failing our first responders when they are in need
By Derek Sienko Contributor Derek Sienko is the chief mental health officer and CEO of Diversified Rehabilitation Group in Kelowna, B.C. Published in Toronto Star on May 1st, 2025 DOWNLOAD ARTICLE ON PDF Like so many across British Columbia, where I live, and across this country, my heart aches. It aches for the lives that were […]
Occupational Stress and Somatic Suffering
Military personnel and first responders, including paramedics, police officers, firefighters, border services officers, and other emergency personnel, are routinely exposed to occupational stressors that place them at elevated risk for a spectrum of psychological conditions. Among these, somatoform disorders now largely subsumed under the category of Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders in the Diagnostic and […]
Why Mixing Veterans with the General Public in PTSD Treatment May Be Ineffective
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a complex mental health condition that manifests differently depending on the individual’s experiences. Veterans and the general public often experience PTSD due to markedly different types of trauma, leading to unique therapeutic needs. Research suggests that mixing these populations in treatment settings may hinder the effectiveness of interventions due to […]
Scent Therapy: A Holistic Pathway to Wellness
Aromatherapy, the practice of using plant-derived essential oils for therapeutic purposes, is increasingly recognized as a complementary approach to enhancing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. By tapping into the aromatic essences of plants, aromatherapy integrates natural compounds known as phytoconstituents, which have been shown to exhibit diverse therapeutic effects, including stress relief, immune support, and […]
How Specialized PTSD Programs Can Help Firefighters
As a firefighter, you are admired by your community for fearlessly putting your life on the line to protect others. You battle through intense flames, rescue those trapped in dangerous situations, and confront unimaginable trauma daily. But you’re also human, and those harrowing experiences can take a toll on your mental health. Unfortunately, many firefighters […]
Supporting Our Paramedics: Navigating the Challenges of PTSD
Paramedics are regularly exposed to potentially traumatic events, which increases their risk of developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The occupational factors contributing to this risk cannot be underestimated, with mental health evaluations within EMS professions revealing an elevated vulnerability to psychological injury and a culture that impedes appropriate help-seeking. Beyond the personal toll of their […]