How Practicing Gratitude Builds Resilience for First Responder Families

Hosts:

Dr. Ashlee Gethner, LCSW – Child of a Police Officer

Jennifer Woosley Saylor, LPCC S – Child of a Police Officer

In this heartfelt and timely Thanksgiving episode, Ashlee and Jennifer dive deep into the role of gratitude and positive mindset amid the demanding lives of first responders and their families. They share personal stories, practical strategies for resilience, and how gratitude can shift perspectives even when everyday life is challenging and unpredictable.

Gratitude as a Tool for Resiliency: Ashlee and Jennifer discuss how practicing gratitude is not just a feel-good exercise but an active skill-building strategy to combat cognitive distortions and negative bias especially crucial for those regularly exposed to trauma and high-stress environments.

Skill Building for Mental Wellness: Jennifer emphasizes that building resilience isn’t a “one and done” event; it’s about consistent practice. Tools like “hunt the good stuff” (noting three positive things daily) are highlighted as simple yet powerful routines.

Conference Insights: Fresh back from a first responder conference, Ashlee shares reflections on how hard it can be to see the good when surrounded by negativity, reinforcing the psychological data that most of our happiness comes from our mindset, not just our actions.

Leadership & Positive Psychology: The conversation explores leadership within first responder agencies and the impact of balancing constructive feedback with genuine appreciation. They extend this message to parenting and home life, showing how positive reinforcement can shape culture.

Family & Holiday Traditions: Both Jennifer and Ashlee reminisce about growing up with first responder parents and share how their families made the best of holiday schedules and traditions. Whether at home or on the job. Ashlee recalls her dad’s department football games, and Jennifer reflects on celebrations surrounding her grandmother’s birthday.

Safety & Situational Awareness: Ashlee recounts a story from a trip to New Orleans, illustrating the “built-in” situational awareness many children of first responders carry into adulthood, and the value of trusting one’s gut.

Thankful for Community: Ashlee and Jennifer express deep gratitude for their listeners and the growing WTCHH community, acknowledging the support, engagement, and the ongoing journey of connection.

If this episode resonated with you or if you have stories to share about living with a first responder, reach out to Ashlee and Jennifer on their social media platforms!

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