Is Being a Cop (or Anything Else) a Job or an Identity?
My colleague, Coach Bruce Sokolove of Field Training Associates, sent me a link to an article by Arthur C. Brooks titled, "A Profession Is Not a Personality." His subtitle? “Reducing yourself to any single characteristic, whether it be your title or your job...
Is Fear Your Friend, Foe, or Both?
Some fears keep us safe. Others cause distress. Can you tell the difference? Famous author Stephen King is the author of 81 books, including an excellent craft book titled On Writing. It’s a book I’ve read several times since I switched from writing...
8 Ways Cops (or Anyone Else) Can Be Good Therapy Clients
A client will get more out of therapy if they are an active participant in their own treatment.Therapy takes time and patience. It doesn't have to take forever, but, depending on one's issues, it is often not a quick fix.One's goals for therapy may change in...
The Chauvin Verdict and the Future of Policing in America
There is a lot wrong with policing because there is a lot wrong with society.For communities of color, the Chauvin verdict is one winning skirmish in a centuries-old war that shows no signs of slowing.There will be no one-size-fits-all solution but several key changes...
Cops and Shrinks: When to Go to Therapy and Why
Therapy won't make you perfect, but it will help you live a wiser, happier life. In my last post, I wrote that fear about confidentiality is high on the list of reasons cops don’t reach out for help. But there are other reasons like stigma, shame, or the distorted...
Cops & Shrinks: Can You Trust Your Therapist?
What you need to know about confidentiality: when you have it, when you don't. I’ve been blogging about police and first responders with Psychology Today for a couple of years. My most popular post was about cops and PTSD. On the first day of 2021, I saw a comment on...