Starting: February 7th, 2023

Facilitated by: Psychotherapist Charlaine Robinson, MA, RCC, Certified EMDR therapist 

We offer a Strength-Based Caring and Compassionate Group counselling program because we recognize the day-to-day stress involved with being a Partner/Spouse of a Local Police Officers or RCMP member.

Police officers  face many dangerous, stressful, and challenging situations in their professional lives. They go into dangerous situations to protect and help others. Their experiences not only impact their mental health – but it also impacts their partners’/spouses’ well-being.

Partners / Spouses of Law Enforcement members  are often the glue that holds the family unit together. Partners experience elevated levels of stress and demands due to their family role.

As a spouse of an RCMP member for the past 35 years, I understand the unique challenges of living with a police officer. I developed this program because I noticed that – in this role where we are often “The Glue” that keeps the family and relationships together, under unique circumstances, we often do not have the supports or resources that we may need to cope with our unique challenges.   

As an EMDR psychotherapist, I specialize in trauma therapy and understand the mental health challenges that individuals face after experiencing traumatic events or as a loved one living with someone who experiences Operational Stress Injury (OSI) or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

This 10 week program will promote:

Resiliency, Understanding, and Education for You, the partner or spouse of a Law Enforcement Members / RCMP member with Operational Stress Injury (OSI) or Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI), more commonly known as PTSD.

Key Topics: 

1. Psychiatric symptoms experienced by police officers.  
2. What is Operational Stress Injury and what is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – signs and symptoms
3. The impact on the spouse and family. 
4. Pharmacology – typical medication prescribed and what this means. 
5. The impact on the spouse/partner who experiences their own stress and possibly mental health concerns. 
6. Independence and Self-Care: How to take care of yourself – the necessity of self-care. 
7. Communication skills 
8. How to support your family and yourself
9. And time to address unique challenges that members identify. 

I aim to have the group form into a supportive proactive group. Group will provide you with a safe empathic environment where you may share your experiences with others who have similar experiences. I will help group members to learn and implement skills that empower each individual to manage their experiences of living with a police officer in a positive proactive manner.  

Program Length:  10-weeks

Commencing:  Tuesday, Feb 7^th 2023

Time:  6:30 pm to 8:45 pm (2-hour session with 15 min break at 7:30 pm)

Location:  #201 – 2469 Pauline St., Abbotsford

Snacks and coffee, tea, and water provided

To register or for more information:

Contact:  Charlaine Robinson — 604-807-9759

Email:  charlaine@charlainerobinson.com

If you are interested in participating, please contact me with your phone number. I will call you and provide you with more information so you feel confident that this group is a good fit for you.