Can a police officer go to therapy without it affecting their job?

Yes. Private outpatient therapy at Seattle Trauma Counseling is completely confidential and has no connection to your department, command, or any agency. Nothing you share is disclosed to your employer. Telehealth adds a further layer of privacy.

What mental health challenges are common in law enforcement?

Law enforcement involves repeated exposure to violence, death, trauma, and moral complexity with limited opportunity to process these experiences. Over time this accumulates into cumulative occupational trauma. Specific issues include PTSD from critical incidents, hypervigilance that does not turn off off-duty, difficulty connecting with family, sleep disruption, depression, substance use, and moral injury.

Therapy for Police Officers | Seattle Trauma Care

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Police officers endure a unique and relentless kind of stress that few outside their profession can fully understand

Day after day, they are tasked with responding to situations that most people would flee from—domestic disputes turned violent, tragic accidents, or tense standoffs where lives hang in the balance. This constant exposure to trauma and the high-pressure demands of their job can take a profound toll on their mental health. I've witnessed how these pressures can slowly erode an officer's well-being, leading to anxiety, panic attacks, and in some cases, PTSD. The cumulative impact of witnessing violence, being targeted, or even just the everyday pressure of being responsible for public safety creates a burden that many officers carry long after their shift ends.

In the United States, there are approximately 800,000 law enforcement officers, each facing the potential for trauma in their daily duties (U.S. Department of Justice, 2023). Research has shown that the rate of PTSD among police officers is significantly higher than in the general population, with estimates suggesting that 15-18% of officers will develop PTSD during their careers (Komarovskaya et al., 2011). The nature of their work—constantly navigating between life-threatening situations and the regular stressors of daily policing—sets the stage for mental health struggles. For many officers, the signs of PTSD or anxiety may begin as subtle shifts in mood or behavior but can quickly escalate if not addressed.

The mental health challenges faced by police officers don’t just affect them on the job—they seep into their personal lives as well.

The intense stress and trauma they experience can strain their relationships, often leading to a higher rate of divorce. Studies indicate that the divorce rate among police officers ranges between 40-50%, which is higher than the national average (Roth, 2020). Moreover, the mental health struggles can become so overwhelming that some officers see no way out, leading to tragically high rates of suicide within the law enforcement community. In 2019, more police officers died by suicide than in the line of duty, with 228 reported cases of suicide (Blue H.E.L.P., 2020). These statistics highlight the critical need for effective mental health support for officers.

One approach that has shown promise in helping officers manage their stress and trauma is somatic therapy, particularly through the use of Trauma Release Exercises (TRE). Unlike traditional talk therapies, somatic therapy focuses on the body’s physical response to trauma. TRE involves a series of exercises designed to trigger the body’s natural shaking mechanism, which helps to release deep-seated tension and stress stored in the muscles. This process can be particularly beneficial for police officers, who often carry the physical burden of their mental stress without realizing it. By allowing their bodies to release this tension, they can begin to alleviate some of the symptoms of PTSD and anxiety that have built up over time.

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Research supports the effectiveness of somatic therapies like TRE in reducing PTSD symptoms

A study published in Traumatology found that participants who engaged in somatic therapies, including TRE, experienced significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, as well as overall improvements in mental health (Berceli et al., 2014). For police officers, who may struggle with expressing their emotions or processing trauma through traditional methods, the physical release provided by somatic therapy offers a new avenue for healing. It allows them to address the trauma stored in their bodies, which can lead to meaningful improvements in both their mental and physical well-being.

In my experience, officers who have tried somatic therapy often report feeling a sense of relief and rejuvenation that they hadn’t found elsewhere. It’s not just about relieving stress in the moment, but about giving their bodies and minds the tools they need to cope with the ongoing demands of their job. While no single therapy can erase the challenges of police work, somatic therapy, and specifically TRE, offer a vital resource for officers to reclaim their mental health and continue their service with a renewed sense of resilience and well-being.

Citations:

• U.S. Department of Justice, 2023
• Komarovskaya, I., et al. (2011). The American Journal of Psychiatry.
• Roth, M. (2020). Police Marriages: The Impact of Stress on Law Enforcement Relationships.
• Blue H.E.L.P. (2020). Law Enforcement Suicide Statistics.
• Berceli, D., et al. (2014). Traumatology.

Seattle Trauma Counseling is a collective of licensed somatic trauma therapists co-founded in 2015, with offices in Edmonds and Kirkland, Washington, and telehealth across the state.

We specialize in EMDR, Brainspotting, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Internal Family Systems for trauma, PTSD, complex trauma, religious trauma, sexual trauma, anxiety, and dissociation.

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Edmonds

8923 240th St SW,
Edmonds, WA 98026
United States

Kirkland

10512 NE 68th St #202,
Kirkland, WA 98033
United States

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(206) 552-8207

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