Grief and GRACE: Lessons for First Responders

Trauma doesn’t occur from abuse alone. Vicarious trauma is an occupational challenge for people working and volunteering in the fields of victim services, law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire services, and other allied professions, due to their continuous exposure to both victims and perpetrators of trauma and violence. There is no experience of trauma that does not include a level of grief.

Though people respond to vicarious trauma in a number of ways, it is inevitable that their worldview will change. This change can be one of cynicism, anger, emotional detachment, etc. or it can mean a deeper appreciation for what is good. The outcome is in your control.

In this webinar, you will receive actionable tools to both prevent and heal trauma, gain a deeper understanding of how trauma affects the nervous system, and learn how resilience and growth can be the outcome of grief, loss, and trauma.

Speaker and Presenter Information

Denise Olsen is a Grief Mentor, national public speaker, author, BSN-RN, E-�RYT-200, and Master Healer. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and has been licensed for over 25 years. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing honor society and the American Holistic Nurses Association. Through nursing, Denise has acquired trauma experience and an extensive knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. After suffering the loss of her husband on 9/11, Denise used her yoga practice to heal. She is a registered yoga instructor with over 300 hrs of experience. Her focus was the military community. She worked with service members suffering from combat-related PTSI and military sexual assault survivors. Denise is a Reiki II practitioner, as well as a certified Master Healer under the guidance of shaman/medicine woman and LAc, Tiffany Carole. Most recently, her work has evolved into guiding those who have suffered grief/loss and/or trauma through their healing journey. This organically happened as people began to seek her out for her experience of turning her traumatic loss and grief following 9/11 into a story that serves others. This is the culmination of her own experience of loss, her education in nursing and alternative healing methods, along with hundreds of hours of study and certifications. Her work focuses on using our pain as a portal to our highest selves.

Denise has lectured at various Veterans Outreach programs, Adelphi University Graduate Social Work Program, has been interviewed on NPR radio, multiple podcasts, and has authored numerous blogs. She was honored to be selected as a Keynote speaker for the No Victim Left Behind Conference, NOVA, Special Ops Survivors, and numerous 9/11-related non-profit organizations and has given a SUEtalk. Her most recent achievement was as the keynote speaker for Chippewa Strong a community resilience series that helps in Chippewa Falls, Wi.

As a member of the Advisory Board for Tharros a nonprofit with a mission to keep young women engaged in sports, she is able to support and empower young women.

Denise believes that in order for us to fully experience life we must address body, mind, and soul. She is the creator of Strong and Soulful Yoga, Denise-Olsen.com, and previously owned Strong and Soulful Holistic Health Community located in Sea Girt, NJ.