A2Z Trauma & Counseling Services

06/14/2026

Did you know that EMS (ambulance, fire, police ect) professionals have higher prevalence of PTSD? This may be due to the frequent exposure to highly emotional and stressful situations which they are required as the role of their jobs. One study from 2019 indicate that between 6% and 32% of EMS professionals experience PTSD at some point during their career*.

Experiencing mental health struggles as a result of your job is not a weakness. Counseling can help you work thru these struggles. If you are considering counseling and not yet ready to commit, reach out to Allen at A2Z Trauma & Counseling Services to learn about options with a free 15-minute phone consultation.

* Lewis-Schroeder NF, Kieran K, Murphy BL, Wolff JD, Robinson MA, Kaufman ML. Conceptualization, Assessment, and Treatment of Traumatic Stress in First Responders: A Review of Critical Issues. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2018 Jul/Aug;26(4):216-227.

Whether you’re in EMS, fire, dispatch, or law enforcement, After the Call is your powerful, no-nonsense PTSD survival guide.

It explains:
• Why PTSD is more common in first responders than anyone wants to admit.
• What symptoms to watch for in yourself or your partner.
• The science behind evidence-based treatments that actually work.
• How to build resilience without pretending everything is fine.
• How families can support the healing process without feeling helpless.

Written by a trauma therapist who understands the emotional weight you carry.
It offers straight talk on the realities of trauma, burnout, and PTSD - and, more importantly, what you can do about it. Let this guide be your first step toward real recovery.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B14564WJ

06/13/2026

Why don't you just get over it? I mean, it happened so long ago!
This phrase is so helpful to so many people..... Said no one EVER.

When a person experiences a traumatic event it is important to remember that it is not what happened to you that causes the struggles. It is the emotional, mental, and/or psychological wound(s) which are created as a result of the experience.

Our lived experiences influence us in ways that we are not always aware of. While it is PTSD awareness month, please know that experiencing a traumatic event doesn't always result in PTSD... sometimes is results in depression or anxiety or other mental health struggles.

You no longer just have to get over it! You can reach out where support, encouragement, and growth can happen. But you must be the one to take the first step. If you are struggling with mental health concerns please reach out and talk to a friend, family member, or a professional. If you need someone to talk to immediately please call 988.

If you are thinking about counseling please call Allen at A2Z Trauma & Counseling Services at 701-401-6117 or email him at [email protected] with your inquiry.

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend,
Allen

06/12/2026

PTSD awareness month information:
While we have been told there are "Big T-traumas" and "small t-traumas", the reality is that trauma is trauma. Our brains and bodies do not distinguish personal experiences the way that society does. Experiencing a traumatic event is a trauma no matter if it involves gunfire, a bicycle accident, or bullying. Let's end the comparison act because it is not beneficial or helpful.

When bringing awareness to PTSD it is important to remember that we all respond to experiences in different ways. And just because you may be having more challenges overcoming an experience than someone else, doesn't mean that your struggles aren't valid and/or real.

If you are struggling with PTSD, depression, anxiety or other mental health struggles, remember that there are people and services to help you through your struggles. A2Z Trauma & Counseling Services is one of those places and if you are interested in counseling and would like a free 15 minute consultation please reach out and contact Allen at 701-401-6117.

06/09/2026

Did you know anyone can develop PTSD?
This challenging mental health issue is not limited to those who have experienced "the worst of the worst".
I hear at times -- "But, I don't have it as bad as some people."
And yup, you may not... that doesn't mean you aren't still struggling.
EMDR is a research based modality which helps reduce symptoms and allows a person to overcome events which continue to impact their lives.

Trauma Awareness

Trauma comes in many different shapes and forms.. 🫶🏻

Katie

🩵

06/09/2026

Did you know anyone can develop PTSD?
This challenging mental health issue is not limited to those who have experienced "the worst of the worst".

I hear at times -- "But, I don't have it as bad as some people."
And yup, you may not... that doesn't mean you aren't still struggling.

EMDR is a research based modality which helps reduce symptoms and allows a person to overcome events which continue to impact their lives.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CHxT69ZYd/

06/03/2026

The month of June is a month when many people's lives become more hectic and busy. As North Dakotan's, we take every chance we can to enjoy our summers and yet it doesn't always mean life is less stressful.

June is also a month where we acknowledge and bring awareness to several different topics. Did you know June is national PTSD Awareness month, Men's Health Awareness Month, and LGBTQ+ Pride Month?

Over the next three weeks, I would like to bring some attention to each of these areas with each one getting their own week to spread awareness and information relevant to mental health needs. Be on the lookout for these posts in the next few weeks.

05/25/2026

Today we take a moment to honor those who have given the ultimate price to serve our country.

I have not served in the military and yet many people in my family have. My father enlisted to go to Vietnam, I have a brother who was in the Navy, another who served with the ND National Guard, and countless uncles and cousins who have also served to protect this country.

While we use today to remember the fallen, remember and thank all those that have and/or currently protecting our freedoms as well.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GoQ1usX2k/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Today, we remember the brave men and women who gave everything for something greater than themselves.

Their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering love for this country will never be forgotten.

This Memorial Day, we honor the fallen, stand beside their families, and carry forward the freedom they fought to protect. 🇺🇸

Land of the free, because of the brave.

04/23/2026

Informational post:
This week 31 years ago, something horrible happened within our country. Timothy Mcveigh blew up a Federal building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. While the events were horrific and many people died, something beneficial came out of this experience.

Francine Shapiro, the developer of EMDR, was contacted to help survivors, EMS, and families deal with the tragedy which had occurred. Francine was able to find nearly 100 mental health providers from around the country to come and provide free services to these individuals.

This was the initial stage of the development of the EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program (EMDR/HAP). Over the last 30 years, HAP has been able to train more than 40,000 clinicians in EMDR and provide services all over the world. In 2002, the organization rebranded their name to Trauma Recovery/Humanitarian Assistance Program (TR/HAP) while focusing on the organization’s Missions and Values.

I am proud to have been trained by and be a part of this organization.

31 years ago, as a 7th grader in middle school, I wrote a poem. As young and as far away as I was from Oklahoma City, this event affected me. And my young mind didn’t know how to comprehend it all… so, I wrote a poem.

Little did I know that as an adult I would be helping people over come their own personal struggles with a technique that was utilized during the event which prompted me to write the poem.

Title: Terror in the Streets
Big, bad, black bombs
Burst buildings, hearts, and blobs.
Tourists, tick, tumbling children
Screaming out in horrifying pain.

People watch, trickle tears
How dare you bring out all those fears!
Trembling terrors tear tender hearts
Treacherous, ticking, time bombs.

For those who died,
Children cry.
How dare you take lives!
Old and young weren’t there to die.

Older ones were helping others,
Younger ones were playing.
Some were mothers,
Some were laying.

Finally frantic tears fade.
Now, there’s a park made.

Published in the Fields of Gold: The National Library of Poetry in 1996

03/23/2026

It is officially spring, yet it is not always as we may want or expect it to be. Temperature up and then down, rain and then snow, clouds followed by bright sunshine.

There can be times in our lives that feel like our spring season. Laughter and then tears, fear followed by being content, perceived weakness which leads to growth and confidence.

If you have thought about addressing your mental health struggles, consider this your spring sign to take the step.
Allen at A2Z Trauma & Counseling Services
701-401-6117
A2ztrauma.com

Spring is trying. Winter isn’t letting go…

02/11/2026