On January 11th, California Southern University had the pleasure to be invited to hear Dr. Heather Williams speak to a room of UC Irvine facility staff about critical incident training in a presentation called “Impact of Trauma and Critical Incident Debriefing.”
Dr. Williams, who graduated with her Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) at CalSouthern’s School of Behavioral Sciences in August 2017, was hired by the Orange County Sheriff’s
Department as the Regional Peer Support Coordinator in 2014. She coordinates a team of 100 OCSD personnel, provides crisis counseling and critical incident debriefing, and promotes an Emotional Wellness Campaign. On top of it all, she provides individual and couples counseling for law enforcement professionals throughout Orange County.
In her presentation “Impact of Trauma and Critical Incident Debriefing,” Dr. Williams discussed the importance of “debriefing” with those who are involved or near a traumatic or violent event.
During a debriefing, Dr. Williams goes over basic psychological principles and the psychological repercussions caused by trauma and crises in adults and children. She also goes over common physical reactions to trauma, dealing with the stigma of toughness to avoid counseling, and her own personal experience dealing with active shooters and how to be there for the victims and families.
We spoke to Dr. Williams about her presentation, her experiences counseling law enforcement professionals, and her advice for current CalSouthern students.
In your words, could you give us a brief summary of your presentation titled “Impact of Trauma and Critical Incident Debriefing”
This particular presentation was designed to help university employees in various positions understand the acute stress reaction following a critical incident and to understand why critical incident debriefs are so important in the processing of trauma.
Why did you feel it was important to talk to UC Irvine Staff about crisis trauma even if they don’t work directly with students?
It has come to my attention that the crimes that occur on university campus’ have a far-reaching effect. Crime and victimization are like throwing a rock in a pond. It creates ripples of people impacted. This actually came out in the presentation when participants talked about their reaction to a homicide that occurred years ago. Research from my doctoral project shows that education on crisis reactions and coping helps mitigate trauma later when exposed and increases the possibility of resilience (the ability to adapt and overcome).
You mentioned during your presentation you have responded to three active shooter situations and have done critical incident debriefing for many people on their worst days. What are some key points you want people to take away from this importance?
Active shooter incidents forever change the lens in which people perceive life (and death). Their lives can be flipped upside down while they try to find a “new normal” in the aftermath. Critical incident debriefs give those people who directly experienced a traumatic event an opportunity to come together, talk about their experience, feel validated in what they experienced, put the pieces back together of what happened, build relationships (trauma bond) and create an opportunity for healing and closure.
Could you share a few principles of something you studied at CalSouthern that is incorporated in your presentations?
Physiological psychology plays a large role in understanding trauma. I am able to describe in simple terms what happens in the body and in the brain during and after a traumatic experience. Many people believe that their reactions in a crisis are a weakness. That they somehow had control over how they reacted. Explaining it from a physiological perspective helps people understand that trauma is something that “happens to you” and that there are normal human reactions to trauma.
Could you tell us more about your work with Orange County Sheriff’s Department?
I was hired in 2014 as the Regional Peer Support Coordinator. They didn’t realize they would eventually have a department psychologist. I develop programming for the peer support team and help other departments throughout California to develop programs. Lastly, I help respond to the daily life stressors personnel experience (like a cancer diagnosis, or the sudden death of a loved one) as well as crisis situations, critical incidents, and officer-involved shootings. I am a resource to the Crisis Negotiation Team and teach a number of classes for a variety of public safety departments and conferences on “The Impact of Trauma and Building Resiliency.”
You also do individual and couples counseling for law enforcement. Could you tell us about that? And are you finding law enforcement officials more willing to accept therapy?
It’s truly remarkable to see the cultural shift in law enforcement’s attitude toward peer support and counseling or therapy. I often say in response to this cultural shift, “If you build it, they will come.” That is what has occurred in Orange County law enforcement. I am often having to refer people out due to my schedule being booked 3-4 weeks out. I believe this specialty will continue to be needed and that we will need to train more students, future psychologists, and mental health professionals on working with public safety.
What has been the most difficult obstacle you have had to overcome in your career? How did this experience help you grow within your field?
Politics, learning to be patient, and being told, “NO.” No to funding a new position, or a new program. I have a philosophy, “The worst thing they can tell me is NO.” What we do with that “NO” is what’s important.
What would you like to share with your fellow CalSouthern students who are still in school?
School and life are a journey. When I was in my early 20’s completing my BA Degree and MA degree I was always in a hurry to get it done so I could “start my career” or life. What I’ve learned is that we are all on a path and I believe everything happens for a reason. We all have a gift and bring value to where you are supposed to be. Believe in yourself, trust the path (even when you want to control something you don’t have control over), and don’t quit.