How to Vet Therapists for Your
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Dr . David Black , Chief Psychologist of Cordico
As a police chief , you may believe that you have the pieces in place to support officer wellness , yet police departments of all sizes throughout California have found that they lack sufficient access to culturally competent law enforcement therapists . This lack of quality care is unfair , untenable , and can contribute to disastrous outcomes . Last year , a survey of 8,000 officers revealed that police nationwide overwhelmingly report that stressful and traumatic experiences on the job have impacted their mental health , with 90 % indicating law enforcement culture creates a barrier to seeking emotional help .
Nationwide research also reveals that the majority of officers who utilize their employee assistance programs ( EAPs ) find them to be unhelpful , and stories abound of officers contacting EAPs for help only to be provided with a list of unqualified therapists . Providing confidential access to culturally competent law enforcement therapists is a vital and commonsense strategy that addresses these shortcomings while strengthening officer wellness , resilience , morale , and long-term retention .
CULTURAL COMPETENCE
Vetting therapists to ensure they are culturally competent to work with law enforcement is critical . The good news is that cultural competence can often be improved over time when therapists participate in ride-alongs , pursue additional education , and seek appropriate supervision . When vetting a therapist ’ s cultural competence to work with police , it is important to consider :
Experience with law enforcement
Attitudes towards law enforcement
Familiarity with law enforcement culture
Motivation to work with law enforcement
Therapeutic skill working specifically with law enforcement
Ability and willingness to support law enforcement in times of crisis
THERAPIST QUALITY
Research demonstrates that high-quality , experienced therapists generate significantly better results , with quicker resolution of problems and reduction of symptoms . In contrast , therapists with the poorest outcomes actually make their clients worse on average — not just occasionally , but in the majority of their cases . Therapist quality encompasses many basic issues ( such as licensure status ) in addition to :
Empathy Judgment Practice history Professionalism Emotional stability Clinical assessment skills
Use of empirically validated treatments
Domains of professional competence and specialization
Ability to quickly form trust-based therapeutic relationships
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