From Law Enforcement to Mental Health Trauma Therapy – Exclusive Interview With Stephanie Neuman

Stephanie Neuman has been a mental health, trauma therapist for over 13 years. Prior to that she served in Law Enforcement as a Detention Officer, Patrol Officer and finally, Patrol Sergeant. Stephanie found the value of mental health therapy early with her career after experiecing numerous traumatic events. Her journey now as a Life Changer allows her to focus on supporting people through their own trauma and educating others on how our brain holds and processes trauma.

Stephanie Neuman, Trauma Therapist

Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.

I was born and raised in Wyoming, where outdoor activities reign supreme. Growing up, I developed a deep love for the mountains and engaged in hunting, fishing, and competitive shooting. During my high school years, I aspired to become a Game Warden because I wanted to drive a truck, carry a gun, and work with a dog. However, after my first semester of college, I realized biology wasn’t my strong suit, so I pursued a degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology instead.

After college, I began my law enforcement career at the Sublette County Detention Center as a Detention Officer. This role introduced me to law enforcement and honed my skills in verbal communication and de-escalation techniques.

I later joined the Cheyenne Police Department, where I gained valuable experience as a patrol officer in the state capital. Within six months of joining the Cheyenne PD, I married my husband, Casey.

Casey and I share a passion for competitive shooting, including steel shooting with pistols and trap shooting with shotguns. While he is an expert shooter, I occasionally best him with some luck! Over the years, we cherished our Labrador Retrievers as our furry kids until Casey surprised me by bringing home a Belgian Malinois named Ali, assigned to him as the new K9 officer by the Sheriff’s Department. Raising a Belgian Malinois alongside my Labs was truly an unforgettable experience.

After a decade in law enforcement, I transitioned to working for myself, and soon after, our son, Thor, was born. Thor, now six years old, is a lively presence in our lives. He has a chocolate lab named Bridger, a name he picked himself. Thor possesses an old soul and loves the outdoors.

As a family, we thrive on outdoor adventures like camping, four-wheeling, fishing, and hunting. During the COVID pandemic, we cherished over 9 weeks in the mountains, reveling in each other's company and the beauty of nature.

What inspired you to transition from law enforcement into mental health trauma therapy, specifically focusing on working with first responders?

My transition journey began during my eighth week on patrol when my field training officer and I were involved in a shooting. The Chief at the time ordered us both to attend therapy, which I initially resisted but ultimately followed the command. Two years later, I found myself in another traumatic incident during Crisis Negotiation, where someone tragically took their own life in front of me. Strangely, I struggled to operate a simple bolt-action rifle to secure the scene—a skill that should have been second nature to me as a lifelong competitive shooter from Wyoming.

Feeling shocked and confused, I reached out to my therapist for support. During EMDR therapy, I recounted the scene involving a barn, a tree, and a "bad guy," only to realize I had described a similar scene from the previous shooting. This led me to a childhood memory where my father, struggling with alcoholism, accidentally ran over my dog, compelling me to bury him under a tree—a memory intertwined with the imagery from my recent trauma.

In that moment of revelation, my therapist explained the intricate connections in our brains and how our past experiences shape our present emotions. This pivotal insight spurred me to continue therapy, confronting and processing my childhood traumas.

Several months later, while on duty with a colleague who was visibly affected by the recent suicide call, I realized that seeking therapy was not the norm among law enforcement officers and first responders. Recognizing the profound impact of my therapeutic journey, I decided to pursue a Master’s in Social Work with the goal of supporting fellow first responders in a way that had profoundly benefited me. The Chief's directive to attend therapy early in my career had not only normalized therapy for me but also inspired me to make it more accessible and accepted within my profession.

How do you integrate Brainspotting into your practice, and what benefits have you observed in your clients from this approach?

I approach therapy with a straightforward method: if there's a problem or a lingering feeling of brokenness, Brainspotting can offer a solution. For instance, if a client expresses a desire to find motivation for the gym but struggles with disappointment when they don't go, we use Brainspotting to address that disappointment directly. Brainspotting is a powerful tool that can fundamentally alter the workings of our brains, allowing clients to gain new perspectives from within.

The moment I became a true believer in this approach was when I worked with a woman who had endured a long-term domestic violence situation. In our first session using Brainspotting, we targeted her fear of leaving and finding inner strength. After our session, she asked me, "So, I need to open a bank account, file for divorce, and move out, right?" I confirmed that these steps were indeed necessary, though typically they take time to implement in such situations.

When I saw her again two weeks later, she confidently announced, "I moved out, got my own checking account, and filed for divorce. What's next?" I was astonished by her determination and transformation. In just one Brainspotting session, she had completely turned her life around for the better. This profound experience solidified my belief in Brainspotting, and I now encourage all my clients to explore its potential for themselves.

As both a practitioner and an advocate for mental health care, what initiatives or changes would you like to see implemented within law enforcement agencies to better support the mental well-being of officers?

The FBI Uniform Crime Reports reveal a sobering statistic: Law Enforcement Officers are statistically more likely to die by suicide than to be killed in the line of duty. Unfortunately, their mental health often becomes their greatest adversary.

In my experience, the most effective approach to addressing this issue is through education—providing officers and all first responders with insights into the science of their brains. Helping them understand that they, who thrive on control, have little control over the workings of their brains can make them more receptive to seeking help. Normalizing the necessity of mental health care is crucial.

Educating them on how trauma impacts the brain is essential. First responders diligently care for their equipment, such as cleaning firearms after qualifying or fire trucks after responding to emergencies. Similarly, they must prioritize "cleaning" their brains after experiencing trauma. This should be a global initiative aimed at normalizing mental health care and encouraging the proactive management of trauma-related stress.

If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why?

One aspect I believe needs improvement is the accessibility of culturally competent care for police officers and first responders. This group can be challenging for therapists due to their unique humor and tough demeanor. Not all therapists are equipped to handle the intensity this population brings into sessions.

I advocate for educating therapists on how to effectively engage with and support this group. I personally conduct a two-day training on becoming culturally competent when working with police officers and first responders. Understanding the individual differences among first responders is crucial for helping them navigate their career challenges.

Unfortunately, I've encountered too many first responders who were told by therapists that they weren't ready for certain therapies like Brainspotting or EMDR, despite facing trauma daily. Brainspotting or EMDR could have provided much-needed relief. Therapists should be prepared to address trauma from the first session, equipping first responders with the tools to find relief and transform their lives.

Read more from Stephanie Neuman