Workshop Summary: This presentation aims to equip therapists and mental health professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage with law enforcement personnel in a therapeutic context effectively. Understanding law enforcement culture is crucial for building rapport and trust and ultimately facilitating a therapeutic process that acknowledges and respects the unique challenges faced by those within this profession. Topics will include an overview of law enforcement culture, common stressors, and mental health challenges faced by officers, strategies for building trust and rapport and adapting therapeutic techniques to be more effective with this population.

Learning Objectives:  

1) Understand Law Enforcement Culture:  Participants will gain insights into the core values, norms, and behaviors that characterize law enforcement culture and how these can impact the mental health and well-being of officers.

2) Identify Common Stressors: Learners will be able to identify the common stressors and mental health challenges faced by law enforcement personnel, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

3) Develop Trust and Rapport: The course will teach strategies for building trust and rapport with law enforcement clients, acknowledging the importance of confidentiality, empathy, and understanding.

4) Adapt Therapeutic Techniques: Participants will learn how to adapt existing therapeutic techniques to be more applicable and effective for individuals within the law enforcement community.

5) Apply Cultural Competence: Learners will understand the importance of cultural competence in therapy with law enforcement officers and will be equipped with strategies to implement culturally informed care.

Speaker Bio: Christopher D. “Kit” Cummings is the Operations Specialist for the Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program (VALEAP).  Kit retired from the Blacksburg Police Department in 2014 after 25 years of service and enjoys a semi-retired second career in the public safety mental health field.  While with the Blacksburg Police Department, Kit served as a patrol officer, sergeant and lieutenant in uniform patrol, in Special Operations and as the Professional Standards and Accreditation Lieutenant.  Having worked in public safety peer support since 1994, Kit was a founding member of Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program in 2008.  Kit has been a Crisis Intervention Team officer with the New River Valley Crisis Intervention Team since the team’s inception in 2004, and from 2014-2023 served as liaison between the Community Services Board and fourteen partnering law enforcement agencies.  In his work with VALEAP and NRVCS, Kit has been deployed to numerous communities in the wake of significant events including Charleston, SC (Emanuel AME shootings), Houston, Tx. (Santa Fe HS shootings) and Virginia Beach (VB Public Works shootings), the US Capitol (January 6th Riot) and he was among first responders to the Virginia Tech shootings in 2007.  Kit is also the spouse of a retired law enforcement officer – his wife Valerie is a 23-year police veteran with the Vinton Police Department.  They and their three children make their home in the Roanoke Valley.
 

Lisa describes herself as a dedicated advocate for clinicians. Her journey began with a vision to redefine leadership in mental health, leading her to establish her solo practice in 2016, which she later expanded into a successful group practice by 2019. As the CEO of a thriving group practice in Hampton Roads, Virginia, Lisa prioritizes the well-being of clinicians and champions trauma-informed care. With over two decades of experience as a trauma therapist and leader, Lisa provides valuable consultation to practice owners. She shares her expertise as a respected speaker and trainer on topics related to trauma, leadership, and clinician care. She is also the founder of "Clinician Connection" and, along with her partner, Chris, created the Clinician Connection Conference. This conference aligns with the values of equipping, inspiring, and connecting clinicians, providing them with the necessary support and experiences to thrive as mental health professionals. Lisa's commitment to empowering clinicians and promoting mental health excellence.