Cop Doc

Fear

Is Fear Your Friend, Foe, or Both?

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on August 28, 2021

We live in an era of uncertainty. Learning to discern which fears are real and require action and which are imagined can help lessen stress.

We live in an era of uncertainty. Learning to discern which fears are real and require action and which are imagined can help lessen stress.

Career

8 Ways Cops (or Anyone Else) Can Be Good Therapy Clients

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on July 23, 2021

The way to create a helpful therapeutic alliance is to be actively involved in your treatment. A little effort can go a long way.

The way to create a helpful therapeutic alliance is to be actively involved in your treatment. A little effort can go a long way.

Trust

The Chauvin Verdict and the Future of Policing in America

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on April 24, 2021

Will the Chauvin Verdict change the direction of American policing and build trust between law enforcement and communities of color? The answer is yes, no, and it depends on you.

Will the Chauvin Verdict change the direction of American policing and build trust between law enforcement and communities of color? The answer is yes, no, and it depends on you.

Career

Finding the Right Therapist If You Are a Cop

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on March 18, 2021

Finding a therapist who is comfortable counseling cops may not be easy. Here's what you need to know to be an informed consumer.

Finding a therapist who is comfortable counseling cops may not be easy. Here's what you need to know to be an informed consumer.

Stress

Cops and Shrinks: When to Go to Therapy and Why

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on February 17, 2021

This is a hard time to be a cop or to be married to one. Morale is low and stress is high. Therapy with the right clinician can help.

This is a hard time to be a cop or to be married to one. Morale is low and stress is high. Therapy with the right clinician can help.

Trust

Cops & Shrinks: Can You Trust Your Therapist?

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on January 7, 2021

Three things cops need to know about confidentiality.

Three things cops need to know about confidentiality.

Career

Goodbye 2020: Don’t Let the Door Hit You in the Butt

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on December 6, 2020

Why do we ask cops to stay in a psychologically hazardous job for two to three decades when many are done long before? I try to imagine a different kind of career path.

Why do we ask cops to stay in a psychologically hazardous job for two to three decades when many are done long before? I try to imagine a different kind of career path.

Environment

Want to Extend Your Shelf Life as a Cop? Take a Hike.

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on November 19, 2020

Need help putting more positivity in your police life? Take a walk in the wild.

Need help putting more positivity in your police life? Take a walk in the wild.

Cognition

Stinking Thinking: How Our Thoughts Determine How We Feel

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on October 17, 2020

Negative thinking is a work tool that makes cops safer on the job, but can make life at home harder. Here's a three-step process to change how you think.

Negative thinking is a work tool that makes cops safer on the job, but can make life at home harder. Here's a three-step process to change how you think.

Wisdom

Calling All Cops: Do You Know Who Has Your Back?

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on September 17, 2020

These are troubling times to be a cop or to be married to one. It's important to stay connected to family. Here's what to stop and what to start.

These are troubling times to be a cop or to be married to one. It's important to stay connected to family. Here's what to stop and what to start.

Optimism

Police, Protests, and the Pandemic

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on August 15, 2020

In the midst of a pandemic and protests against the police, does it make any sense to teach cops how to be optimistic? I think it might.

In the midst of a pandemic and protests against the police, does it make any sense to teach cops how to be optimistic? I think it might.

Bias

Police, Protests, and the Killing of George Floyd

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on June 20, 2020

Let's not lose this opportunity for change by oversimplifying complex human behavior. As a police psychologist, I have nine suggestions for change.

Let's not lose this opportunity for change by oversimplifying complex human behavior. As a police psychologist, I have nine suggestions for change.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Paradox of Holding National Police Week in a Pandemic

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on May 11, 2020

National Police Week is a time for mourning officers who have died in the line of duty. Will the pandemic change how police families mourn? Might there be a change for the better?

National Police Week is a time for mourning officers who have died in the line of duty. Will the pandemic change how police families mourn? Might there be a change for the better?

Anxiety

Social Distancing? Not If You're a Cop

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on April 4, 2020

Four more ideas to help police officers, their families, and the rest of us stay calm and centered during this pandemic.

Four more ideas to help police officers, their families, and the rest of us stay calm and centered during this pandemic.

Fear

Social Distancing? Not If You're a Cop

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on March 24, 2020

What first responders and their families need to know to keep working in the middle of a pandemic.

What first responders and their families need to know to keep working in the middle of a pandemic.

Stress

When Cops Kill: A Memo to Cops and Their Families

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on February 21, 2020

If you're a cop or know one, the possibility of killing someone is part of the job. Here's what you need to know.

If you're a cop or know one, the possibility of killing someone is part of the job. Here's what you need to know.

Health

Defeat Stigma: A New Year's Resolution for First Responders

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on December 16, 2019

Don't let stigma keep you from getting the mental health help you need to build and maintain your resilience.

Don't let stigma keep you from getting the mental health help you need to build and maintain your resilience.

Wisdom

The Wisdom of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on November 15, 2019

The fictional Inspector Armand Gamache has a lot to teach cops and the rest of us about leadership. His four steps to wisdom (plus one of my own) are all you need to know.

The fictional Inspector Armand Gamache has a lot to teach cops and the rest of us about leadership. His four steps to wisdom (plus one of my own) are all you need to know.

Domestic Violence

Intimate Partner Abuse: What if Your Abuser Is a Cop?

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on October 7, 2019

Domestic abuse and police work. What happens when the person who enforces the law is committing it? If it's happening to you, what can you do?

Domestic abuse and police work. What happens when the person who enforces the law is committing it? If it's happening to you, what can you do?

Suicide

When It Comes to Dying, Cops May Be Their Own Worst Enemies

Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on September 10, 2019

Why is this happening and what can you do about it?

Why is this happening and what can you do about it?