First Responder Resilience: Caring for Public Servants

Tania was three months from completing her Master's Degree at the University of Texas when she witnessed the dramatic and violent standoff between law enforcement and the Branch Davidian Cult in Waco, Texas. At that point, she knew her calling was to work with first responders and to focus on healing these warriors from the horrors of post-traumatic stress disorder. Tania spent the first ten years of her career working in a Level Two Trauma Emergency Department on weekend nights as she built her private practice during the week. In 2002, Tania transitioned to her private practice on a full-time basis and has dedicated her entire career to working with first responders and military members. Tania assisted with the aftermath of the Oklahoma City Murrah Federal Building bombing, the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, Hurricane Katrina, the Dallas Police shootings, and numerous other incidents. Tania is referred to as the "warrior healer" by her colleagues, and she is passionate about her work. She wrote "Protected But Scared" for the children of police officers to help them express their feelings, and to help police parents and police departments understand how to help their beautiful children each time they placed on a uniform and left for work. Tania resides in Central Texas. Her loves include her family, her pets, and fitness.