Who I help · 911 dispatchers
Therapy for 911 dispatchers in Utah.
You might recognize this
Some of this sounds familiar.
A caller's voice comes back to you at home, clearer than you want it to.
You never found out what happened, and your mind keeps filling in the ending.
Your heart pounds through a call while your body has to stay seated and calm.
When people talk about first responders, dispatch gets left out, and so do you.
Rotating shifts have wrecked your sleep, and you can't remember the last time you felt rested.
How I help
The work, unhurried.
Dispatch trauma happens through the headset. We work on it directly, and on the sleep and strain that come with the job.
Dispatchers carry something unusual. You take in the full intensity of an emergency through sound alone, you guide someone through it, and then you are cut off. There is no scene to leave, no debrief, often no ending. Your imagination fills the gap, and what it fills in can be worse than what happened. Over time, that can show up as intrusive memories, poor sleep, irritability, or feeling numb. That is the ground PTSD and trauma therapy covers.
There is also the adrenaline. Your body gets the full alarm signal, but you have to sit still, type, and keep your voice level. That energy has nowhere to go. Part of the work is helping your nervous system finish what it started, so you are not carrying the charge home every night.
For the calls that stay with you, I use EMDR and Accelerated Resolution Therapy. Both work with the memory as you hold it, including the sounds and the endings you imagined. You don't have to retell everything, and you can stop at any time.
Being left out of the "first responder" conversation adds its own weight. You may feel like your stress doesn't count because you weren't there in person. It counts. You can read more about the wider first responder therapy I offer, which includes dispatch.
Solution-focused work helps with shift life: protecting sleep, coming down after a hard night without relying on a drink, and staying connected to the people at home. Sessions are in person in Midvale or by telehealth anywhere in Utah. This is a private practice, separate from your center and not an EAP.
If you're in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911.
What to expect
- A free 15-minute call — no pressure, just see if we fit.
- Honest intake — your story, your goals, your pace.
- 50-minute sessions, weekly or biweekly.
- Telehealth anywhere in Utah, or in-person in Midvale.
The practical part
Where
Telehealth across Utah, or in-person in Midvale.
Investment
$150 per 50-minute session. Out-of-network superbill on request. No referral needed.
First step
A free 15-minute call to see if we're a fit.
FAQ
Common questions.
I've never been on scene. Can I still have trauma from dispatch?+
Yes. Trauma exposure through the headset is real exposure. Hearing someone's worst moment, often without ever learning how it ended, can affect sleep, mood, and your nervous system the same way other exposure can.
Do EMDR and ART work for something I heard rather than saw?+
Both methods work with the memory as you hold it, including sounds, voices, and what you imagined was happening. You don't have to describe every detail out loud.
Is this connected to my center or agency?+
No. This is a private practice, not an EAP, and not contracted with any agency. Care is confidential under HIPAA and Utah law, with the limits explained at intake.
Can I do telehealth after a night shift?+
Yes. Telehealth is available anywhere in Utah, which helps with shift schedules. In-person sessions are available in Midvale.
You stayed on the line for them.
Someone can stay on the line for you.
Brian Lewis, LCMHC · Midvale, Utah · Telehealth across Utah · Utah LCMHC license #5497978-6009