Counseling Cops: What Clinicians Need to Know

by Ellen Kirschman, Mark Kamena, Joel Fay

Grounded in clinical research, extensive experience, and deep familiarity with police culture, this book offers highly practical guidance for psychotherapists and counselors. The authors vividly depict the pressures and challenges of police work and explain the impact that line-of-duty issues can have on officers and their loved ones. Numerous concrete examples and tips show how to build rapport with cops, use a range of effective intervention strategies, and avoid common missteps and misconceptions. Approaches to working with frequently encountered clinical problems--such as substance abuse, depression, trauma, and marital conflict--are discussed in detail. A new preface in the paperback and e-book editions highlights the book's relevance in the context of current events and concerns about police-community relations.

See also Kirschman's related self-help guide I Love a Cop, Third What Police Families Need to Know, an ideal recommendation for clients and their family members.

Genres: Psychology, Counselling

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

I've been a police and public safety psychologist for thirty-plus years, before I had any gray hair. My work with first responders has taken me to four countries and twenty-two states.

I Love a Cop: What Police Families Need to Know was my first book and, to date, it has sold more than 100,000 copies. I Love a Fire Fighter: What the Family Needs to Know came next, followed by Counseling Cops: What Clinicians Need to Know with two psychology colleagues, both of whom are retired cops.

I also write a mystery series. My protagonist, Dr. Dot Meyerhoff, is a fifty-something year old psychologist who should be counseling cops, not solving crimes. Too dedicated for her own good, she won't give up until justice is served, even when it jeopardizes her own life.

There are five books in the series: Burying Ben, The Right Wrong Thing The Fifth Reflection The Answer to His Prayers and Call Me Carmela. Dive in anywhere, it's. not necessary to read them in order.

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my husband, whose entire life I have plagarized for Dot's love interest, Frank. I maintain a website at www.ellenkirschman.com,. Sign up for my occasional newsletter and get a free copy of my mini-memoir as a dance hall girl in Times Square.

Reviews

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! should be required reading for anyone doing psychotherapy with first responders. Information about please culture here is most helpful. Most of the recommendations regarding interventions should be well know to experienced therapists, but it still contains good info. Highly recommend.