Send us a text

This week's episode is an incredible conversation with Dr. Erica Birkley, who was actually recommended by a prior guest and friend, Chris Perry. He credits Dr. Birkley with helping him heal and get to where he is. You can check out his episode, here.

There were sooo many notes from this episode that there is NO WAY to include them all, so I will suggest getting out a notebook while listening.

Dr. Birkley is a Psychologist in Cincinnati, who owns her own private group practice and specializes in working with first responders. Some of the things she does through her practice are outpatient PTSD treatment, clinical depression, critical incident response, psych testing for departments, and training.

Dr. Birkley trained at the VA and credits that training as a great training ground for first responders, she then worked at the University of Cincinnati Hospital treating first responders, where she realized a true passion for working with them. Treating PTSD, especially working with couples is her favorite modality. When she was confronted with the reality of not only being able to work with first responders through the hospital, she CHOSE to leave (without a plan, but a lot of faith) and start her own practice, so she could serve our community.

We discussed her "welcome to the field" moment, what patterns she sees in our law enforcement community, how important accountability is, the importance of different perspectives, and how a diagnosis (like PTSD) is NOT a life sentence.

Dr. Birkley shared stats and science that helped provide so much hope! She gives red flags for PTSD (listen to these!), realistic expectations for treatment, and gives tips for those moving into the transition to life after law enforcement.

You can connect with Dr. Birkley through her website, here.

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

You can NOW wear the mission of The Next Shift Podcast, with merch! Check out our current designs, here.

See you Next Shift