First responder mental health is about much more than PTSD.

In this episode of the No One Fights Alone Podcast, Kevin Thacker sits down with Dr. Matt Stiehm, a therapist and former law enforcement professional, for a candid conversation about mental health in law enforcement, the barriers that keep officers from seeking help, and what effective treatment can actually look like.

Having experience on both sides of the conversation—as a member of law enforcement and as a mental health professional—Matt brings a unique perspective to the challenges facing police officers and other first responders.

Kevin and Matt discuss why some officers are hesitant to trust therapists, concerns about confidentiality, and why one bad experience with therapy shouldn't convince someone that therapy doesn't work. Finding a clinician who understands first responder culture, communication, humor, trauma, and the realities of the profession can make a significant difference.

The conversation also goes beyond PTSD. First responders may experience depression, anxiety, anger, burnout, sleep problems, relationship difficulties, cumulative trauma, and other challenges that don't always fit the stereotypical picture of post-traumatic stress.

Matt and Kevin explore different approaches to trauma treatment and first responder mental health, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), peer support, traditional therapy, and emerging treatments such as ketamine and psychedelic-assisted therapy.

For some officers, firefighters, and other public safety professionals, retirement doesn't make years of accumulated stress disappear. Losing the structure, identity, purpose, camaraderie, and routine associated with the profession can sometimes bring previously manageable struggles to the surface.

Kevin and Matt discuss first responder mental health, law enforcement culture, PTSD and cumulative trauma, why police officers may resist therapy, confidentiality concerns, finding the right therapist, peer support, EMDR and ART, depression and anxiety, ketamine and psychedelic-assisted treatment, mental health after retirement, and the future of first responder wellness.

The goal isn't to convince every first responder that one particular form of treatment is the answer. It's to expand the conversation about what help can look like and make it easier for first responders and their families to find the support that works for them.

Watch more episodes and clips from the No One Fights Alone Podcast: www.youtube.com/@NoOneFightsAlonePodcast

Chateau Health & Wellness: www.chateaurecovery.com

The No One Fights Alone Podcast features conversations with law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS professionals, veterans, clinicians, peer-support leaders, and others working to improve first responder mental health and wellness.

The podcast is produced in partnership with Chateau Health & Wellness, which provides mental health, trauma, and substance use treatment for first responders, veterans, professionals, and adults seeking a higher level of care.

First responder mental health, law enforcement mental health, police officer PTSD, first responder PTSD, police wellness, officer wellness, peer support, trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, ART therapy, ketamine therapy, psychedelic-assisted therapy, depression, anxiety, cumulative trauma, first responder retirement, police retirement, mental health treatment, first responder families, and behavioral health.

When a police department becomes the center of a national news story, how do leaders respond?

In this episode of the No One Fights Alone Podcast, Kevin Thacker sits down with former police commander Chris Prochut to discuss leadership during crisis, managing intense media attention, and the personal toll high-profile investigations can take on first responders and their families.

Drawing from his experience in law enforcement leadership, Chris shares lessons learned from navigating one of the most heavily scrutinized periods of his career, including the challenges of public perception, crisis communication, stress management, and maintaining healthy relationships outside of work.

In This Episode:

• Leadership during high-profile investigations • Managing media attention and public scrutiny • Building trust with the community • The hidden mental health challenges of law enforcement • Family impact and work-life balance • Healthy coping strategies for first responders • Lessons for leaders in any high-pressure profession

Whether you're in law enforcement, fire service, EMS, corrections, military service, healthcare, or another demanding profession, this conversation offers valuable insight into resilience, leadership, and navigating adversity.

About Chris Prochut

Chris Prochut served with the Bolingbrook Police Department in Illinois, advancing from patrol officer to commander. His experience managing communications and leadership during a nationally recognized investigation provides a unique perspective on crisis management, officer wellness, and organizational leadership.

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The No One Fights Alone Podcast shares real conversations with first responders, veterans, clinicians, and leaders who are making a difference in the lives of others.

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In this episode of the No One Fights Alone (NOFA) Podcast, Brad sits down with Dr. Trevor Wilkins — widely known as the “Angry Viking Therapist” — for a direct, no-nonsense conversation about mental health, trauma recovery, and what it actually takes to heal in high-stress professions.

With a background that spans law enforcement, emergency medicine, and advanced clinical work, Dr. Wilkins brings a rare dual perspective to the conversation. As both a former first responder and a trauma specialist, he understands firsthand the psychological toll that public safety careers can take — and the barriers that often prevent people from getting help.

Brad and Trevor dive into the realities of mental health in law enforcement, fire service, EMS, and military communities, where exposure to trauma is constant and the expectation to remain strong often leads to silence. Trevor challenges traditional thinking around therapy and emphasizes the importance of practical, effective treatment over surface-level conversations.

The discussion highlights how trauma, burnout, PTSD, and anxiety develop over time — not just from a single incident, but from cumulative exposure to stress and critical incidents. Trevor explains why many first responders struggle to recognize when they are affected and how untreated trauma can impact performance, relationships, and long-term well-being.

Topics discussed include:

• First responder mental health and trauma • PTSD, burnout, and cumulative stress • Breaking stigma around therapy in public safety • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) • Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) • Practical approaches to trauma recovery • Mental health leadership and accountability

Dr. Wilkins also breaks down how EMDR and other evidence-based therapies work to process traumatic memories and help individuals move forward without being controlled by past experiences. His approach focuses on results — helping first responders regain clarity, stability, and control over their lives.

Brad and Trevor emphasize that seeking help is not weakness — it is a necessary step in maintaining performance, protecting relationships, and sustaining a long-term career in high-responsibility environments.

This episode is especially valuable for law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS professionals, military personnel, and anyone operating in high-pressure roles who may be struggling with stress, trauma, or burnout.

• Trauma in first responders is often cumulative, not just event-based • Effective therapy requires actionable tools, not just conversation • EMDR and REBT are powerful methods for processing trauma • Mental health support improves both personal life and job performance • Breaking stigma starts with honest conversations and leadership

The No One Fights Alone (NOFA) Podcast features real conversations about mental health, trauma recovery, addiction, resilience, leadership, and suicide prevention within first responder, military, and high-pressure professional communities. Through honest dialogue and lived experience, the show works to reduce stigma, strengthen peer support, and provide meaningful insight for those who serve — and the families who support them.

Sponsored by Chateau Health & Wellness

This episode is proudly sponsored by Chateau Health & Wellness, a trauma-focused residential treatment program serving first responders, veterans, and professionals navigating PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use challenges.

Chateau provides clinically sophisticated, relationship-centered care designed specifically for individuals in high-responsibility roles who need treatment that understands both the demands of the profession and the person behind it.

Learn more or connect with their team at: www.chateaurecovery.com