Supporting Those Holding the Thin Blue Line: Using Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for Law Enforcement Families

Abstract

Law enforcement officers have one of the most dangerous and demanding careers in the United States (Price in JAMA 35:113–123, 2017). Challenges such as shiftwork, hypervigilance, and anti-police rhetoric can lead to burnout and trauma responses (e.g. Neylan et al., in JAMA 27:1493–1508, 2010). These stressful trials do not only impact the officer, but also their spouses and families (e.g. Alexander & Walker in JAMA 10:131–138 1994; as reported by Bibbins (in:Resse (ed) Psychological Services for Law Enforcement, US Government Printing Office, 1986). Unfortunately, there are minimal suggestions for use of a systemic psychotherapy approach involving the entire family. This article discusses challenges officers and their families frequently face and proposes the use of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for law enforcement families. This article also provides suggestions for altering interventions to increase sensitivity for families and an example dialogue.