Frequently Asked Questions

Post Traumatic Stress

What is a Critical Incident?

A critical has been defined in many ways but one commonly accepted definition is any event that overwhelms a person’s usual ability to cope (Everly/Mitchell 1993). For first responders (police, fire, dispatch, medics, EMT's, nurses, armed forces, crime scene investigators, etc), some of the familiar critical incidents are:


  • Officer involved shooting
  • Death or injury of a co-worker
  • Suicide of a co-worker
  • Prolonged/failed rescue
  • Incidents involving children
  • Mass casualty
  • Large media influence
  • Victim known to responder
  • Exposure to infectious diseases
  • When your own safety is in peril
  • Administrative/Co-worker Betrayal 


A critical incident often produces fear, terror or helplessness (APA 1994). A responder may be involved in one incident to one hundred incidents throughout their career. The stress they are experiencing may be cumulative due to number of years on the job or the number of incidents experienced. Not everyone reacts the same way to the same or similar incidents.

What is Critical Incident Stress?

Most first responders see, hear, taste, smell and touch more trauma in a month than the average citizen does in a lifetime. Critical incident stress is a normal reaction to an abnormal situation, by a group or an individual. Some of the symptoms are: 


  • Elevated blood pressure
  • Depression
  • Over/under eating
  • Withdrawal
  • Nightmares
  • Flashbacks
  • Irritability
  • Lack of concentration
  • Increased alcohol consumption


These symptoms are normal, as long as they do not continue for an extended period of time, causing your life to become unmanageable (relationship problems, work-related problems, addictive behavior, domestic violence, etc).

What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

PTSD is a psychiatric disorder, which may result from exposure to a critical incident or a traumatic event. PTSD requires specific symptoms in order for a diagnosis to be made. These symptoms include avoidance, re-experiencing, and arousal. There are many fine websites with information about PTSD such as the National Institute of Mental Health.

Retreat

Do I have to be diagnosed with a stress disorder to attend?

Not necessarily. Many of our participants have been diagnosed with a stress disorder, or as we like to refer to it, a post traumatic stress injury (PTSI), but not all have been. However, a majority of our clients are experiencing distress in their lives. This includes depression, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, excessive alcohol use, isolation, exhaustion, etc.​

Will my agency (company, unit, etc.) or anyone I else that I know be told that I have attended the retreat? I do not want anyone to know.

California law allows the privilege of confidentiality between our participants and the staff doctors, psychotherapists, and chaplains (CA Evidence Codes 992, 1012, and 1032 respectively). Information about your attendance will only be released with your authorization, unless safety becomes an issue.

​Many participants attend without their agency's knowledge by using vacation or compensation time. This also applies to anyone else that you know. Our staff understands this and our first priority is that you feel comfortable and safe. It would be up to you if you told that you attended an FRSN retreat. Also, if any staff member from your retreat sees you on the street they will not acknowledge you, it will be up to you to go up to that person. We do this to protect your confidentiality not to ignore you.

What does it cost to attend the program and do you accept insurance?

For the WCPR retreat: The tuition is $7,000, which includes includes room, board and psychotherapeutic treatment. At the time your retreat date is confirmed, we will ask how your tuition will be covered — through Workers’ Compensation, your department/union/association, or self-payment.If you are self-paying, a deposit will be required to secure your spot.


Financial assistance, income-based cost reduction, and flexible payment plans are available. If Workers’ Compensation or your department/union/association is covering your tuition, we will need a copy of the authorization prior to your attendance.


For the SOS retreat: The tuition is $6,000. However, FRSN subsidizes $4,500 of that cost. The client is responsible for paying the balance of $1,500. We have a scholarship program and payment plans available.


Please know that we aim to ensure that cost is never a barrier to care. Our billing team will work with you to determine the best option for your situation.

Can I speak with someone who has attended the retreat?

Yes. Many past participants from WCPR and SOS currently serve as volunteer peers. Also, many of our participants throughout the country and beyond are happy to talk about their experiences. When possible, a staff member will connect you with someone with a similar background (i.e., SWAT, ER nurse, etc.).


When calling to speak with someone who has previously attended a retreat program, please let us know if you are a first responder or a significant other or spouse of a first responder, so we can get you in touch with someone the most appropriate person for your circumstances.

Will I be helped by attending this retreat?

The WCPR and SOS 6-day programs provide a safe environment for healing, education, and peer support to help you understand what you have been through. With these tools and a 90-day follow-up plan, you will be given the opportunity to make clearer decisions about your personal and professional life. It is not a “cure” but our experience has shown that most people benefit from attending and are able to reclaim parts of their lives that were taken.


When was the last time you dedicated 6 days to yourself? Perhaps it's time you rescued yourself and not everyone else around you.

How can I sign up for the next retreat?

If you are interested in attending WPCR or SOS, or would like to speak to a staff member or someone who has gone through a retreat, please call or complete the Contact page. Let us know if you are a First Responder or Significant Other or Spouse, so you are provided relevant information.


To schedule a brief intake interview, call (415) 721-9789. YOUR CALL IS CONFIDENTIAL. The intake, which is done over the phone, assures that the retreat is a good fit for you and that you receive the best treatment for your circumstances.

How do I get to the retreat?

Once your telephone intake is completed and it has been determined that the retreat is a good fit for you,  you will be provided with a retreat date and location, as well as additional information for your retreat. 

What is the schedule like for the 6 days?

For both WCPR and SOS, the retreat begins on a Sunday, and ends on the following Friday. A usual day begins at 7am for breakfast followed by a group check-in, educational presentations & videos, small group debriefings, substance abuse education, etc., and may end at 10pm, or even later. The days can be long and exhausting, but very productive.

Where is the retreat?

We offer WCPR retreats in California, Oregon, Washington, Kansas and Indiana. Our SOS retreats are held in Northern California. For confidentiality reasons, retreat dates and locations are not provided on this site. 

Why do you have Chaplains at FRSN retreats?

We have found that some of our faith-based participants appreciate a spiritual component in their recovery process. Some participants will disclose or discuss something to a clergy person that they would not to anyone else. Some clients appreciate the fact that there is a pastoral presence, someone who is not evangelizing but simply a compassionate, empathic person who holds confidential privilege. FRSN does not endorse any specific religious tradition.

Other Questions

I am a First Responder. How can I help my significant others understand my job or what I am going through?

We offer our SOS retreat for significant others and spouses of first responders. Visit the Significant Others and Spouses (SOS) retreat page for more information.

How do I go about becoming a volunteer staff member or helping in any way?

FRSN's success is largely due to the dedication of its volunteers. We have dedicated clinicians, peers and chaplains who volunteer their time. Learn about FRSN volunteer opportunities.