EAPA Monthly CEU Presentation -3/11/2025

San Francisco Bay Area Chapter

Monthly Meeting (Virtual)

Our Mission

To Promote Employee Assistance Programs as an effective means of enhancing the well-being and productivity of employees in the workplace, and to facilitate the professional identification of Chapter members and the development of quality Employee Assistance in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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March 11, 2025

Stephanie Neuman, LCSW

Topic:

The Brain of the First Responder

Description:

The Brain of a First Responder takes participants inside their minds and allows for

understanding as to how trauma has impacted their world while being in the role of a first responder. Stephanie provides a detailed explanation of the science of the brain in a way to understand how the "normalization" of the "job" can quickly diminish the quality of life first

responders have; frequently leading to alcoholism, divorce and suicide. Education about what disassociation is and how first responders can recognize or bring themselves out of it is a key part of this presentation. Upon completion of the presentation, participants will

understand that they have no control over the science of their brain and it isn't their fault they don't feel good. They will have been given coping methods and tangible processes in which they can then calm their bodies or shift their mindset.

Presentation Schedule:

11:30am-12:00pm - Group Introductions

12:00pm-12:20pm

Overview of what causes the trauma in First Responder Brain

12:20pm-1:00pm

How trauma is held in the brain and steps taken to release trauma

1:00pm-1:20pm

Processes of eliminating the trauma response within the First Responder Brain

1:20pm-1:30pm

Questions and Answers

Goals:

By the end of the course participants will have an understanding of why first responders struggle in their lives

Objectives:

Participants will be able to describe step by step the process in which trauma is stored in the brain
Participants will be able to Identify 2 patterns of behavior that reflect possible dissociation or PTSD symptoms
Participants will be able to Identify 4 healthy coping skills that decrease the influence of trauma on the brain

Bio:

Stephanie has been a mental health therapist for over 13 years. Prior to that she served 10 years in law enforcement as a Detention OTicer, Patrol OTicer and Patrol Sergeant. Stephanie found the value of mental health therapy after watching a suicide happen ten feet in front of her while on duty as a police oTicer. Trauma therapy, specifically has been life changing and has allowed Stephanie to positively aTect all clients she works with.

Stephanie specializes as a trauma therapist for Law Enforcement OTicers, First

Responders and Military personnel. She is able to connect with her clients in a “culturally competent” way that allows for optimal trust and healing during the sessions. Stephanie is a huge advocate of trauma therapy and finds the technique to be perfect for those who don’t want to do therapy in the first place. Stephanie is passionate about speaking and

sharing her knowledge with those that can benefit the most.

Outline:

Overview of what causes trauma in the First Responder Brain

Three types of Trauma
Stressors of the job

How trauma is held in the brain and steps taken to release trauma

Bi-lateral music as an Ice PACK - is a life saver

Citations/References:

Corigan, F. & Grand, D. (2013). Brainspotting: Recruiting the midbrain for Accessing and

healing sensorimotor memories of traumatic activation. Medical Hypotheses, 80. 759-766.

D'Antoni, Fabio. (2021). Brainspotting reduces disturbance and increases Heart Rate

Variability linked to distressing memories: A pilot study. 10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-3055.

FBI. Uniform Crime Reports, 2019. https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-

u.s.-2019/topic-pages/about-cius.

Fletcher, Sara Hathaway. (2020). Spot the Anger: Reducing Anger and Irritability with

Brainspotting. Brandman University ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 28263977.

Grand, D. (2013) Brainspotting: the revolutionary new therapy for rapid and eTective

change. Sounds True, Louisville, Co.

Knez, Silva. 2023. Integration of Brainspotting Therapy into Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.

SASS School of Advanced Social Studies Nova Gorica Slovenia. July 27, 2023.

Ningrum, Diah, 2022. The ETicacy of Brainspotting Therapy for the Treatment of Tantrum in

Young Children. Child Education Journal. Volume 4, No. 2, August 2022.

Stemmler, M., Grand, D., Hildebrand, A. Brainspotting – the eTicacy of a new therapy

approach for the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in comparison to Eye

Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Mediterranean Journal of Clinical

Psychology. MJCP Vol 5 N. 1 (2017).

Van Der Kolk, Bessel. (2014) The Body Keeps the Score. New York, NY.

The San Francisco Chapter of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs and/or LEPs. The San Francisco Chapter of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. The Course meets the qualifications for 1.5 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

The San Francisco Chapter of EAPA can be reached via our website: sfbayeapa.org or by writing us at PO Box 5370 Walnut Creek, CA 94596. Contact us for any needed accommodations or to address any grievances. Our CAMFT Continuing Education Provider Number is 57003.

CEU Requirements:

Participants will join the course on time and will remain for the entire presentation. Participants will come prepared to learn and participate openly in discussion
Participants will be required to remain 'camera on' the entire presentation.
Participants will be required to submit the course evaluation form before being sent a CEU certificate. Any participant with disabilities or other special needs, who need special accommodations in this course are invited to share these concerns or requests at info@sfeapa.org as soon as possible.
Registration is required - If you register and cannot attend, please notify EAPA's administration team at info@eapa.org
CE Unit will only be given for instructional time

We welcome you all to Join our Virtual Monthly Presentation you must register by clicking the 'Virtual Registration' box below.

Once you register you will be sent the Zoom Link

Virtual Registration

2025 Upcoming Presentations

Apr 8th - Rawland Glass - External Dependence

May 13th - Tamara Cagney - DOT & Testing

June 10th - Scott & Jenny Graham - TBD

July 8th - Kaoru Ichikawa - TBD