First Responders Program
For the people who show up for everyone else
A free EMDR program for current and former
emergency service workers carrying the weight
of what they've seen
Emergency service workers show up on the worst days of other people’s lives, often repeatedly, often without adequate debrief, and rarely with the space to acknowledge what it costs them. The research is unambiguous… rates of PTSD, moral injury, and occupational trauma in first responders significantly exceed those of the general population.
And yet the barriers to accessing quality trauma therapy remain high. Cost. Stigma. Shift work. The culture of just getting on with it. The Luma Therapeutic Services ‘First Responder Program’ exists to remove at least one of those barriers.
“You have spent your career showing up for others at their worst moments. You deserve the same”
Who the First Responder Program is for
This program is open to current and former workers across emergency services roles including:
This program is specifically for trauma arising from occupational exposure, including critical incidents, cumulative operational trauma, vicarious trauma, and moral injury. It is not a general mental health program.
What the First Responders Program involves
The primary treatment modality is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), one of the most robustly evidenced trauma treatments available, recommended by the WHO and extensively researched with first responder populations. Where clinically indicated, integrated approaches may be drawn upon.
EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they lose their charge, not by forgetting what happened, but by changing the way it is held in mind. For many people, it produces meaningful change more quickly than traditional talk therapy alone.
Structure, Conditions, and Expectations
The program consists of up to 15 sessions at no cost. Sessions typically begin with a preparation and stabilisation phase before moving into trauma processing. This phase is not something that can be rushed, and the number of sessions allocated reflects that reality. All sessions are conducted in person at Luma Therapeutic Services, Cleveland, Qld.
To ensure the program remains sustainable and reaches those who are genuinely ready to engage, the following conditons apply:
- Applicants must be current or former emergency services workers presenting with occupationally-related trauma
- Participants must not be actively suicidal, this is a trauma processing program, not a crisis service
- Participants must be sufficiently stable to engage in trauma processing work
- All sessions are in person only at the Luma Therapeutic Services clinic, Cleveland, Qld
- Two consecutive missed or cancelled appointments without notification will result in forfeiture of program placement
- A next of kin contact must be provided and documented prior to commencement
- One participant at a time, a waitlist applies and is managed on a first come first serve basis
This program is not a crisis service and cannot provide emergency mental health support. If you are in a crisis, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, or present to your nearest emergency department. First responder specific support is also available through Beyond Blue's Support Service and Safe Work Australia resources.
The program is currently accepting expressions of interest. Submitting an expression of interest via the Luma Therapeutic Services contact page places you on the First Responders Program waitlist. You will receive a confirmation email, and will then be contacted when a placement becomes available. All enquiries are treated with complete confidentiality.
Your information is confidential and will only be used to manage your waitlist position. You will not be added to any mailing list and your details will not be provided to any third parties.