When the Job Follows You Home
First responders are trained to stay focused, make decisions under pressure, and keep moving through situations most people will never experience.
Sometimes those experiences stay with you after the shift ends.
You may find yourself replaying a call, sleeping differently, feeling constantly alert, becoming more irritable, avoiding reminders of what happened, pulling away from people around you, or simply not feeling like yourself.
For some people, it follows one critical incident. For others, it builds gradually after years on the job.
You don't have to wait until things become overwhelming to talk with someone.
Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry provides individualized care based on what you're experiencing, how it's affecting your life, and what you want help with.
You don't have to wait until things become overwhelming to talk with someone.
Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry provides individualized care based on what you're experiencing, how it's affecting your life, and what you want help with.
What Is the Officer Craig Tiger Act?
The Officer Craig Tiger Act helps eligible Arizona first responders and public safety professionals access licensed mental health counseling following qualifying events experienced in the course of duty.
Arizona law establishes employer-paid counseling programs for eligible public safety employees. Counseling may also be provided through telehealth. For eligible peace officers, firefighters, and 911 dispatchers covered by A.R.S. § 38-673, the law allows the employee to select their own qualified licensed mental health professional, subject to the requirements of the statute.
Related Arizona law also provides traumatic-event counseling for other eligible public safety employees under A.R.S. § 38-672. Your employer or department can confirm which provisions apply to your situation.
Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry can provide mental health care for eligible Arizona first responders seeking treatment through these programs.
Your department or employer can confirm whether the program applies to your situation and any authorization requirements.
Treatment Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
There isn't one approach that works for every first responder. Your clinician will work with you to understand what you're experiencing and determine which treatment may make the most sense for your needs and goals.
You don't need to know which type of therapy you need before reaching out.
Treatment options available through Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry include:
- EMDR Therapy uses a structured process to help address distress connected to difficult or traumatic memories.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) helps identify and work through thoughts and beliefs that can develop after difficult experiences.
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) helps gradually reduce avoidance and distress connected to memories, situations, and reminders.
- Brainspotting provides another focused approach for working through difficult experiences and emotional responses.
Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry currently offers EMDR, CPT, Prolonged Exposure, and Brainspotting as trauma treatment options. Your clinician can help determine which approach, or combination of approaches, may be appropriate based on your experiences, concerns, and treatment goals.
Rina Abrams-Dunn, LCSW
CPT | EMDR | Prolonged Exposure
Military and rescue-team experience
Audrie Cione, LPC
EMDR | Trauma-Informed Care
Jessica Olivas, LMSW
EMDR
Experience working with victims of crime
Ingrid Hall-Bidegain, Social Work
Trauma-Informed Care
Former EMT with medical-trauma experience
First Responder Mental Health Care in Tucson and Across Arizona
Whether you're dealing with a recent critical incident or the accumulated impact of years in a demanding profession, Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry provides trauma-informed mental health care for Arizona first responders.
Meet with us in person in Tucson or through virtual appointments across Arizona when appropriate. If you're seeking counseling through the Officer Craig Tiger Act, contact our team to discuss your needs and next steps.
Yes. Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry provides trauma-informed mental health care for Arizona first responders, including firefighters and law enforcement professionals. Our team includes clinicians with backgrounds and treatment experience particularly relevant to first responders and other professionals exposed to high-stress or traumatic situations.
Yes. Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry works with eligible Arizona first responders seeking mental health counseling through the Officer Craig Tiger Act.
Eligibility and authorization can depend on your role, department, and circumstances. Your employer or department can confirm whether the program applies to your situation, and our team can help coordinate next steps once you are ready to schedule.
Arizona law provides traumatic-event counseling for certain eligible first responders and public safety employees following qualifying events experienced in the course of duty.
A.R.S. § 38-673 specifically addresses eligible peace officers, firefighters, and 911 dispatchers, while related provisions under A.R.S. § 38-672 apply to certain other public safety employees.
Your department or employer can confirm your eligibility and any authorization requirements that apply to your situation.
For eligible employees covered by Arizona's traumatic-event counseling laws, the statutes provide options for selecting a qualified licensed mental health professional, subject to the requirements of the law and provider participation.
If you are interested in working with Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry, contact your department or employer to confirm authorization requirements and then reach out to our team.
For eligible and authorized counseling, Arizona law establishes employer-paid mental health services for qualifying first responders and public safety employees.
Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry can coordinate applicable billing with your department. Because procedures may vary by department and situation, your employer can confirm the authorization process before treatment begins.
Treatment options available through Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry include:
EMDR Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), and Brainspotting.
Not every approach is appropriate for every person. Your clinician will discuss your experiences, concerns, preferences, and goals before recommending a treatment approach.
No. First responders may seek mental health support for many reasons, including the effects of a specific critical incident, repeated exposure to difficult situations, changes in sleep or mood, stress, relationships, or concerns that have accumulated over time.
You do not need to arrive with a PTSD diagnosis or know which type of therapy you need.
Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry offers virtual appointments across Arizona as well as in-person care at our Tucson office.
Arizona's traumatic-event counseling statutes allow qualifying counseling to be provided through telehealth. Whether virtual care is appropriate can also depend on the individual and treatment approach.
Healing starts with one small step. Let us walk with you.
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