Liz Cary, LLP, CAADC

Grit is defined as: courage and resolve; strength of character.

Grace is defined as: goodwill or favor

To make it to where you are in this exact moment, grit is a necessity. The grit that helps you survive, though, can create a heavy burden to carry. The mental and physical exhaustion are real, but quitting isn’t an option. You’ve got to keep tapping into that grit.

You also need to show yourself some grace. Take a moment to recognize how far you’ve come and how much you have overcome. Are you where you want to be mentally, emotionally, financially, health-wise, maritally, or professionally? We are simultaneously juggling all those aspects of our lives. Acknowledge it’s a lot and show yourself grace. When you face the dangers of the world head-on daily, asking for “help” in the form of therapy, especially for police officers, may come with the fear of a stigma. But guess what’s worse? Avoiding problems, thinking they will get better on their own, or denial of their existence (despite the evidence). Avoidance and denial are guaranteed paths to loss of control over one’s autonomy to make informed decisions. Our brain and mental health are the foundation of effective performance, so take care of them just like you [hopefully] do your other body parts.

I am a Limited Licensed Psychologist specializing in EMDR Therapy.  I use EMDR to treat the impacts of traumatic events, PTSD, grief, anger, and addiction. I primarily work with police officers. I am a US Army Veteran with experience and cultural awareness in the first responder community.

My mission:  Normalize proactive mental health support for first responders to ensure their personal and professional sustainability. 

There is nothing you can say that will surprise me, and I'm not kidding.