Courage, Dear Heart

This February 14 will forever be changed for the communities of Parkland and Coral Springs. Counseling is effective for coping with loss, but it does not lessen the permanent pain of losing loved ones. While the Douglas shooting was very prominent in the media, there are several people that will also be dealing with loss for the first time this Valentine’s Day. During this holiday of love, I can’t help but think about losses that I have experienced, and how the loved ones in my family have been adversely impacted.

Life is precious and unpredictable. We make decisions to take care of our mental and physical health; however, somethings cannot be anticipated. It takes a tremendous amount of courage to continue living life without your loved ones. Courage to continue being around family, friends and celebrating events while you know that part of you is still grieving.

For me, courage gives the ability to have faith that it will hurt less over time.  It is also equally as important to be able to talk about the pain of loss and allow yourself to grieve. There is no time limit to grief, and we shouldn’t enforce one, but we should allow the process to unfold as it should. This Valentine’s Day let’s cherish our loved ones that are still present and honor the memory of those whom we have lost.

Rachel Rowitt, Ed.D., LMHC, CAP | Grace Counseling, Inc. | Mental Health Blog in Coral Springs

First Responders: A Different Perspective

We often think of firefighter/paramedics as strong, courageous and resourceful. They make a difference in people’s lives whether it’s saving a life, crisis management or just helping a lonely elderly person who has panicked and called them for help. They are pillars of strength offering their kindness, compassion and support when we are going through our traumas.

What we don’t realize is that our trauma has a direct impact on their lives too. While we are so grateful for their presence during our time of need, we rarely think about how they are affected.  Fire Departments usually encounter 2-5 trauma calls during one shift. Each preceding event is as significant as their initial trauma call.  How do you manage the residue from your personal trauma experience? Now, just imagine having to take that trauma with you to the next call. Firefighter/paramedics have bags full of trauma that we don’t notice.  These bags are disguised by their external appearance and our own ideal portrayal of who we think firefighter/paramedics are.

I recently attended a workshop by the Florida Firefighters Safety and Collaborative in Coral Springs, Fl. It was here that I realized just how much more emotional strength than brawn it takes to be a firefighter/paramedic. I listened to stories told by those who exhibited immense courage and commitment to their country. But a first responder’s courage is more than just being willing to run into a burning building, deliver a baby or cut someone out of a car wreck.

Firefighter/paramedics require the courage to share the pain of strangers, the courage to create bonds with their team when away from their families and the courage to seek help to learn how to manage their pain to continue being effective in their profession. Now that I have had this experience, “thank you for your courage” means so much more.

If you are in the helping field please visit this site www.firefightersafety.org and learn how you can attend one of these workshops. It will make a difference in how your treat first responders when they seek your counseling services.


Rachel Rowitt, Ed.D., LMHC, CAP | Grace Counseling, Inc.