Tag: College of Psychology

When Samantha Rodriguez and Bailee Schuhmann each donned 90 pounds of firefighting protection equipment, they did so not as firefighter trainees, but as NSU Clinical Psychology doctoral students.

Schuhmann and Rodriguez participated in a two-day Clinicians Awareness Course hosted by the Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative in Bonita Hills, FL. The students were part of a group of 30 clinicians who wore the same gear and participated in a simulated exercise involving rescuing victims from a burning building (which was not actually on fire). The exercise give clinicians insight into the challenges and stresses experienced by people who work in the fire service.

Although the participants were never in danger and did not experience the stress and peril that firefighters do, Schuhmann said wearing the gear gave her a new perspective on their jobs.

“Your senses get messed with, and you can’t feel anything through the gloves,” she said.

The two-day course was also intended to raise awareness about cancer prevention, mental wellness, health and fitness, and firefighter safety across the state. The participants also toured a fire station and heard stories from firefighters about their experiences with mental health.

“There is a big stigma surrounding mental health and seeking services within the first responder population,” Rodriguez said. “This training has inspired me to continue to work towards changing the culture and removing that stigma so that these individuals can receive the services that they need.”

Professor Vincent Van Hasselt, Ph.D., an expert in police psychology who works frequently with first responders, encourages his students to participate in first responder training to gain knowledge that will help them as clinicians.

“Some knowledge of the nature of the job goes a long way in engaging a firefighter or police officer in the therapy or counseling process,” said Van Hasselt, of the Department of Clinical and School Psychology. “In particular, the likelihood of establishing a positive therapeutic relationship is enhanced when the first responder – client sees that the mental health provider has, at least, a basic understanding and awareness of the challenges they face.”

Full story: https://psychology.nova.edu/news-events/2019/cop-fire-awareness.html

Scott Poland, Ed.D., a professor in Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) College of Psychology and the co-director of the Suicide and Violence Prevention has been extensively involved in the aftermath of the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (MSD) in Parkland. His involvement included providing  consultation on site immediately after the school shooting to the top administration for Broward County Public Schools, and he helped organized teams of NSU staff and students who responded immediately to assist the school and the Parkland community. Poland also worked closely with MSD Alumni Association.

In addition, he provided four major parenting presentations for the Parkland community, which focused on the importance of parents being there to listen and to provide support for their children as well as parents modeling optimism and hope for the future. Poland believes that children who live in a stable home who are shown unconditional love can overcome almost anything. Poland has also provided crisis intervention training in recent years to school counselors, school psychologists and social workers for Broward Schools. He has promoted in all interactions with the Broward County Public Schools and the Parkland community that NSU is ready and willing to help the community and school district in any way possible.