March 10, 2026

Joel Fay, PsyD, ABPP

Topic:

Counseling Cops: What You Need to Know about Their Culture, Careers, and Stress

Description:

This presentation will provide information about the law enforcement culture,

challenges for treatment and treatment approaches that are culturally

competent and accepted by responders.

Goals:

1. Develop cultural competency in working with law enforcement personnel.
2. Recognize the impact of chronic and acute stress on law enforcement personnel.
3. Understand effective therapeutic approaches for law enforcement personnel.

Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to identify three unique occupational stressors that impact law enforcement mental health.
2. Participants will be able to describe at least two evidence-based counseling approaches effective with law enforcement personnel

Outline:

Law Enforcement Attitudes and Careers

Over time, police officers often feel trapped or hopeless about their job, which has important implications for both their personal and professional lives, including their mental health

1. Police personality traits often prevent them from asking for help and from getting the help they need to live a full and rewarding life

Clinical Issues in Treating Police

There is a significant prevalence of PTSD, anxiety, and depressive disorders among active-duty police, much greater than the general population

1. Treatment approaches with this population must include self-disclosure, experience working with the population, and knowledge of the culture and associated treatment bestpractices

Bio:

Joel Fay Psy.D, ABPP is an Army veteran and worked as a police officer for over 30 years He retired in 2011. In 1999 Dr. Fay obtained his Doctorate in Psychology from American School of Professional

Psychology and is now in private practice working with emergency responders from numerous organizations. Dr. Fay’s specialty areas include psychological treatment for emergency responders, peer support, critical incident stress response, PTSD and police response to persons with mental illness. Dr. Fay teaches a variety of topics for numerous agencies throughout California.

Dr. Fay has authored/co-authored a number of articles and co-authored, “Counseling Cops, What Clinicians Need to Know” published by Guilford. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and is on their Psychological Services Committee. Dr. Fay is board certified in Police and Public Safety Psychology. He is a past President of the

Forensic Mental Health Association of California and the First Responder Support Network. Dr. Fay is the current clinical director for the First Responder Support Network. Dr. Fay is a frequent instructor

on forensic mental health and trauma reaction/ treatment issues and a

guest speaker at numerous conferences throughout the country.

Dr. Fay has received numerous awards for his work including the 2007 Humanitarian Award, presented by the California Psychological Association, the 2012 award for Outstanding Contributions to the

Practice of Police & Public Safety Psychology presented by the American

Psychological Association and the 2025 Behavioral Healthcare Professional of the Year award, presented by CIT International.