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Live Webinar

The Trust Factor: Building Authentic Connection with Veterans & First Responders

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Pricing

Information

Date & Time

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify key cultural barriers that impact the development of the therapeutic relationship between therapists and veterans and first responders.

  • Summarize how some of the techniques mental health providers are often taught in graduate school may backfire when working with veteran and first responder clients.

  • Identify specific language and relational techniques to enhance trust when working with clients from warrior cultures.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this training is for participants to increase cultural competency with veterans and first responders and learn practical tools to increase engagement and reduce client dropout with this client population.

Description

You can’t fake trust with warriors. They’ll see right through it. If you want to truly connect with veterans and first responders—in therapy, leadership, or life—you need more than credentials or good intentions. You need to understand how they see you before they’ll let you anywhere near their pain. This course pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build trust with those who live by the code of service, sacrifice, and silence. Based on the groundbreaking work of Dr. Shauna Springer and the clinical expertise of Robyn Sonnier, this course will challenge you to flip the script—shifting from “how do I help?” to “how do they see me?” You’ll uncover hidden biases you may not even know you have, explore how media stereotypes and war stories shape expectations, and learn why being married to a veteran or responder doesn’t automatically make you an insider. We’ll dig into the emotional tightrope warriors walk—and why things like vulnerability, grief, or guilt are often locked in their private mental vault. You’ll learn what not to say, what really matters in the first five minutes of a conversation, and why language, tone, and authenticity can make or break trust. More importantly, you’ll begin to learn fundamental strategies for how to earn their trust. This course will help you learn how to speak their language, build meaningful connection, and offer support that doesn’t feel like weakness—but like strength, honor, and loyalty to the team. You’ll also hear what veterans and first responders say they actually look for in a therapist. This is more than a course. It’s a challenge: Can you become someone a warrior will trust?

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Shauna ‘Doc’ Springer is a licensed psychologist, award-winning Military Times podcast host, and one of the world's leading experts on psychological trauma, suicide prevention, and close relationships. A Harvard graduate who has become a trusted advisor to our nation’s military warfighters and first responders, she is the author of three best-selling books, including RELENTLESS COURAGE which has been described by Lt. Col. David Grossman, best-selling author of On Killing as “one of the most important books of our time.” Dr. Springer is frequently sourced by the media for her uniquely perceptive insights on trauma recovery, post-traumatic growth, psychological health, and interpersonal relationships, developed from two decades of work at the extremes. She currently provides specialized consultation and confidential advising to public safety leaders and their departments through THIN LINE ADVISORY. In addition, she serves in a separate role as the Chief Psychologist for Stella, which has more than 20 clinics ac
Robyn Sonnier is a highly respected Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) in Louisiana, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Arizona, and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in North Carolina. As a two time graduate from Louisiana State University and current Doctorate of Professional Counseling candidate at Mississippi College, Robyn is deeply committed to providing culturally competent and trauma-informed care to military personnel and first responders. She brings over a decade of clinical expertise to her work and has extensive training in treating trauma, IFS, and the unique mental health needs of the military and first responder population. She is a Level 2 Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP-II), a Certified Military Clinical Counselor (CMCC), Certified First Responder Counselor (CFRC), and CORDICO/NERPSC Emergency Responder & Public Safety Certified Clinician. She has spoken on both a local and national level sharing her clinical expertise with hundreds of other clinicians. Her expertise has also been highlighted on various podcasts and media outlets, and she has worked as a consultant with various organizations including Thin Line Advisory, Stella, The Overwatch Collective, and various law enforcement agencies. She is the owner of Clarté Counseling, LLC in Lafayette, LA and is dedicated to giving back to her profession. She is known for volunteering at the Louisiana Counseling Association conference for ten years, a volunteer for the American Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces and provides several continued education presentations to help serve the need. As a military/first responder partner, she also has a passion for working with the United States military and our nation's first responders, offering free sessions to veterans, active duty, and reservists, and financial assistance to first responders as a contracted therapist with The Overwatch Collective. She has mostly recently been awarded the 2024 Humane and Caring Person award at the Louisiana Counseling Association conference highlighting her work of providing over $50,000 of free therapy sessions to veterans and military members.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Thin Line Advisory
  • Robyn Sonnier, LPC, LLC