Therapy for First Responders & Veterans in Chilliwack, BC

Support from counsellors

who understand the work.

Repeated exposure to crisis, trauma, responsibility, and life-and-death situations can take a toll over time. Many people in these roles learn to push through difficult calls and keep moving forward, but the cumulative impact of that work can eventually surface in ways that feel hard to manage alone.

Counselling offers a space where those experiences can be understood, processed, and supported by professionals who recognize the unique demands of service.

You’ve spent years showing up for others.

Now it’s okay to have support for yourself.

Counsellors Trained to

Support First Responders

At Inner Balance Solutions, Terresa and Dean provide specialized support for first responders, veterans, and their families. Jessica is a wife of a first responder and wants to help other spouses who are in similar situations to her.

Both are trained through First Responder Health and are listed in the Warrior Health directory, an initiative connected with Wounded Warriors Canada. They have also received training through the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (BCPFFA) focused on supporting firefighters, paramedics, and other frontline professionals.

This training focuses on understanding:

• operational stress injuries
• cumulative trauma exposure
• the culture and realities of frontline work

• the impact of repeated critical incidents
• the effects on relationships and family systems

• operational stress injuries
• cumulative trauma exposure
• the culture and realities of frontline work
• the impact of repeated critical incidents
• the effects on relationships and family systems

Their approach is grounded in respect for the work you do and the pressures that come with it.

When the Work

Follows You Home

Many first responders are accustomed to managing intense situations on the job. The challenge often appears later, when the nervous system continues to carry the impact of those experiences.

Some people notice changes such as:

• intrusive memories or dreams
• feeling constantly alert or on edge
• trouble sleeping or relaxing
• irritability or emotional distance

• fatigue and burnout
• difficulty switching off from work
• increased stress in relationships
• feeling disconnected or numb

Understanding

Moral Injury

In addition to trauma exposure, some first responders experience something known as moral injury.

Moral injury occurs when events challenge a person’s deeply held values or beliefs. This may happen when someone is forced to act against their values, witness situations they cannot prevent, or feel unsupported by the systems they serve within.

Experiences like these can lead to: guilt or inner conflict, anger or betrayal, loss of meaning or purpose and/or emotional exhaustion

 

These experiences are complex, and having a space to explore them safely can be an important part of healing.

Specialized Options

EMDR Therapy

EMDR is an evidence-based therapy designed to help people process distressing memories and critical incidents. It works by supporting the brain’s natural ability to integrate and process difficult experiences.

For first responders, EMDR can help process events such as:

• difficult calls
• traumatic incidents
• cumulative exposure to stress
• memories that continue to surface long after the event

This approach allows individuals to process experiences without needing to repeatedly relive them in detail, helping the nervous system gradually settle and integrate the memory.

Additional Support

for First Responders

Counselling may also include support for:

Trauma counselling
Processing the emotional impact of repeated exposure to critical incidents.

Critical incident support
Helping individuals or teams navigate particularly difficult calls.

Stress management and resilience
Building sustainable ways to manage the pressures of frontline work.

Relationship and family support
Helping partners and families understand and navigate the realities of service-related stress.

Mental health education and support
Creating a space where conversations about mental health can happen openly and without stigma.

Our First Responder

& Veteran Counselors

portrait of Terresa McKenzie clinic owner and registered social worker in Chilliwack

Currently not accepting new patients

Terresa McKenzie

portrait of Dean Pilkey counsellor in Chilliwack

Dean Pilkey (He/Him)

portrait of Corrin Skalbeck counsellor in Chilliwack

Corrin Skalbeck

Katelyn Pesut (she/her)

Start Your

Healing Journey

You do not have to wait until things feel unmanageable before reaching out.

Many first responders seek counselling simply to process difficult calls, manage stress more effectively, or create space to decompress from the demands of the work.

If you are considering support, our team can help you connect with a counsellor who understands the unique pressures of frontline service.

Connect with someone who understands what the work can carry.