This article explores why helpers often struggle to ask for support and how counseling can be reframed as a practical tool for sustainability rather than a sign of weakness. By aligning counseling with the values of competence, readiness, and growth, helpers can access support that truly fits their world.  Read More…

Tags: first responder culture, health care workers, mental health care, burnout, counseling, resilience, helpers

This piece explores why true crime captivates so many people and how repeated exposure can shape anxiety, hypervigilance, and relationship fears. By examining cultural patterns rather than individual cases, Matt highlights the importance of awareness, boundaries, and nervous system regulation.  Read More…

Tags: true crime, intimate partner violence, trauma, pop culture psychology

This educational piece explains why meeting basic needs is the most effective first step during a crisis. Drawing from Psychological First Aid, TBRI, and Maslow’s hierarchy, Matt highlights how safety and stabilization create the foundation for healing.  Read More…

Tags: psychological first aid, crisis support, basic needs, trauma-informed care, Maslow hierarchy, mental health care

In this reflective piece, therapist and former paramedic Matt Short shares the story of a sudden death that transformed his understanding of grief, presence, and human connection. The experience reveals how meaning-making and compassionate support help us navigate the hardest moments of life.  Read More…

Tags: grief, sudden loss, first responder wellness, inspiration, growth mindset, meaning, humanity, resilience

Today's reflection is about Matt's transition from EMS to mental health counseling, showing how both fields can share similar missions of helping people in crisis. He outlines lessons each can borrow from the other and shares his vision of building a bridge between first response and long-term healing.   Read More…

Tags: EMS, counseling, mental health care, resilience, first responder wellness