Women have been climbing career ladders, breaking glass ceilings, and handling career hurdles in law enforcement for decades, all while navigating a minefield that many of their teammates can’t see. This session tells one woman’s story, from believing sexism wasn’t real to discovering in a single workday that she was simultaneously “too sexy,” “not sexy enough, “autistic,” “inspiring,” and that she needed to “dial back on the testosterone from her CrossFit.” It addresses the emotional exhaustion of fighting systems, the Madonna-Whore minefield of undercover work, and the bureaucracy-induced fatigue that slowly chips away at women’s desire to keep doing the job. The talk will also cover what (and who) actually helps the most—and, spoiler alert, it’s not who you think. Men are both welcome and needed in this session.
Traditional crisis training often misses the human reality of the crisis. This session explores the psychological impact of embedding a clinical therapist directly into law enforcement operations. Designed for first responders, we examine how a trusted co-responder partnership mitigates cumulative moral injury, shares high-stakes decision-making burdens, and relieves hypervigilance—protecting officer well-being and restoring professional stamina. Together, Kristen and Rhodie present “Beyond the Call: The Psychological Shield of the Clinical-Tactical Partnership.” Their session blends clinical insight with lived experience, offering practical strategies, honest dialogue, and a shared belief that first responders deserve support that is culturally competent, accessible, and grounded in real‑world challenges.
