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Permalink Reply by Mike Gibson on May 21, 2008 at 7:25am

Hi Anna,
There definitely is a need for counselors and I'm glad you're willing to fill that need. I've done crisis counseling in public safety for several years and seen the need first hand. That being said, let me tell you the #1 issue you're likely to face. That is the mindset that "you wouldn't understand" since you're not public safety. This tends to be especially true of the guys, less true of the ladies. The guys figure if you've been there, done that, you'll understand the concerns and issues they're carrying.

If you're wanting to work in conjunction with public safety but not WITH them (does that make sense?), I would heartily recommend finding a department offering a Victim Advocacy program and join it. I know several years ago that many of the Sheriff's departments in Michigan offered such a program through the Sheriff's Association. I'm not sure how many other states have an organized program but you might be able to use MSA's information to form the basis for a new one in your locale. The Red Cross also used to keep a listing of local counseling assets for use after catastrophic events. I'm not sure if they still do as they seem to be more decentralized now. I would think that FEMA's CERT teams also might provide an opportunity for you to help. Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions on the Victim Advocacy programs.

Take Care,
Mike