Integrating Spirituality in Group Psychotherapy with First Responders: Addressing Trauma and Substance Misuse

Abstract

First responders (e.g., fire fighters, law enforcement, paramedics, corrections officers) are at disproportionately high risk of experiencing posttraumatic stress and engaging in substance misuse. Spirituality is a potential source of resilience and recovery in the context of trauma and substance misuse; however, evidence-based clinical protocols integrating spirituality into group psychotherapy with first responders are rare. This article describes the adaptation of an existing and previously examined spiritually integrated group psychotherapy clinical protocol to address substance misuse among first responders with posttraumatic stress. This brief (90-min) and stand-alone group psychotherapy intervention includes (a) psychoeducation about the co-occurrence of trauma syndromes and substance misuse among first responders, (b) discussion of the relevance of spirituality to both posttraumatic stress and substance misuse, and (c) the integration of spiritual beliefs and behaviors to cope with symptoms related to trauma exposures and substance misuse. We discuss relevant clinical theory behind the development of this intervention as well as the potential clinical application of this protocol.