The COPreneur Path Podcast
Reinventing Therapy [2]: How to Maintain Sanity During a Career in Law Enforcement
April 5, 2021
What do you do when you realize that veterans aren't getting the care they deserve? Lauren Rich left the VA after 7 years of seeing bureaucratic red tape keep vets from getting the mental health treatment they deserved. What she created was a completely innovative method of addressing post-combat mental health. Lauren is back to help us figure out just exactly what Trauma is, and how it can be different for law enforcement professionals versus combat veterans. She also gives some great advice for administrators who are looking for more mental health support and tips for recognizing when you may need to seek help. This is part two of a powerful three-part series. Get all links, resources and show notes at https://psi.chat/028
What do you do when you realize that veterans aren't getting the care they deserve? Lauren Rich left the VA after 7 years of seeing bureaucratic red tape keep vets from getting the mental health treatment they deserved. What she created was a completely innovative method of addressing post-combat mental health. Lauren is back to help us figure out just exactly what Trauma is, and how it can be different for law enforcement professionals versus combat veterans. She also gives some great advice for administrators who are looking for more mental health support and tips for recognizing when you may need to seek help. This is part two of a powerful three-part series.

Get all links, resources and show notes at https://psi.chat/028

Guest Bio

Lauren Rich is married to a combat vet and worked as a Combat Trauma/PTSD Psychotherapist with the VA for 7 years. If you're like most vets, you've made your rounds through several therapists. They've either dismissed the challenges you're facing altogether, or convinced you to cover up your trauma with pills. Nothing has worked...

While working as a Combat Trauma/PTSD Psychotherapist with the VA Lauren sadly observed first-hand that most vets were not receiving the help they actually needed. Frustrated with the bureaucracy, she started her own practice to help vets overcome combat trauma.

Lauren's not here to be your cheerleader - to pat you on the head and make you feel better about your day. She is going to be your battle buddy - someone who guides you through the process of resolving trauma.

Lauren helps male combat veterans kick trauma’s ass. She works with you to develop an OPORD for overcoming pain and recapturing the happiness of living. You can move past the bullsh*t that’s been keeping you from the things you want and need.

Guest Web/Social Links

Lauren Rich - https://www.laurenrich.net/
LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/lauren-rich-lcsw-162ba2142
YouTube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCuO6xpMrL9o1kdA9HtFY9rg
Facebook - https://facebook.com/Rich-Consulting-LLC-102294674697132/

Highlights from the Conversation

[0:41] Welcome to Episode 28!
[2:17] Last episode (27) recap.
[3:38] What are the similarities between combat vets and law enforcement professionals?
[8:21] You have a few choices...
[9:35] Do triggers ever go away?
[13:17] A paradigm shift: does it require Trauma to cause issues? Is all Trauma "realtive?"
[16:51] Lauren's definition of Trauma.
[20:20] Is law enforcement more traumatic than combat?
[30:21] Marketing Minute: How to Stop Working for Free and Make More Money
[31:59] Just how big of a problem is mental health?
[34:47] Adam's take on why the mental health support provided often doesn't fit.
[41:03] What can a law enforcement administrator do?
[47:46] Should your mental health program be mandatory or voluntary?
[53:41] How can you recognize when you should seek help?
[58:23] How to connect with Lauren.

Resources Discussed/Links

Travis Howze
Book: Create Your Own Light: Finding Post Traumatic Purpose - https://www.amazon.com/Create-Your-Own-Light-Traumatic/dp/B0892DP6QJ/
Website - https://www.travishowze.com/

The Frankfurt School - https://www.thepoliticalcesspool.org/jamesedwards/the-frankfurt-school/