The parallels between the challenges faced by veterans and law enforcement officers (LEO’s), as well as potential cross-over therapies and programs are beneficial to both communities.
Shared Challenges
-Exposure to trauma
- Combat for veterans, critical incidents for officers.
-Hypervigilance & survival mindset
- Useful in the field, but can be harmful in daily life.
-Sleep disturbances
- Insomnia, nightmares, and disrupted circadian rhythms.
-Substance use
- Often used as self-medication for stress, pain, or trauma.
-Stigma & culture
- The “warrior ethos” often discourages seeking help.
Cross-Over Therapies & Interventions
Peer Support Programs Crisis Intervention:
-Veteran peer groups and police peer support units often mirror each other. Shared experiences help reduce stigma, “battle buddy” concepts adapted into “peer officer support.”
Trauma-Focused Therapies:
-Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) are effective for both populations.
- Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)
- Stella Wellness Center
- Sensory Wellness Therapy
- Reality Center
- Rapid Resolution Therapy by Marisa Giuliano
Alternative & Integrative Therapies:
-Equine therapy
- Runestone Ranch (Bay Area)
- Warriors Road
-Art/music therapy provides creative outlets for processing trauma. –
- Art Therapy by Samantha Juan USA, USSOCOM
-Meditation, yoga, Rekei and breathwork aids in stress regulation and nervous system balance.
-Cold laser & neurofeedback is sometimes used for TBI/PTSD crossover cases.
- Erchonia
- Stella Wellness Center
- Reality Center
- Reiki
- Conscious Consulting by Renez Bernal
Physical Fitness, Mentoring & Resilience Programs:
-Tactical fitness (lifting, conditioning, martial arts) reduces stress and reinforces identity.
-CrossFit, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and functional strength training are used in both veteran and police wellness programs.
- BJJ and Tactical Fitness offered by Sgt. Steve Odom SLO SO, CA (ret.)
- Breathwork by Detective Jeff Takeda
- Mentoring by James Espinoza Ventura PD, VCO-DA (ret.)
- Veteran Mentor Project
- Corrective Exercise & Stretch Remedy by Sara Butler
Family & Community Support:
-Spousal/family therapy models cross-apply (as families also experience “secondary trauma”).
- PRISM Integration Program
- Runestone Ranch (Bay Area)
- Empowr Wellness
Outreach:
-Outreach is such an important avenue to meeting and reaching those in need. Several of these events have led to introductions that wouldn’t have happened otherwise
- Raven Wing Limited and Sabot Foundation Mil/LEO events
- Events at Corona PD
- Conferences
- Shot Show Las Vegas
- National Night Out
