First Things First
Resilience through Relationship
First responders embody strength, resilience, and dedication. We recognize that your experiences are unique, which is why we’ve built a team of coaches who have walked in your shoes.
Our mission is to serve those who serve, providing understanding, resources, and a community that truly gets it—because we’ve been there too. Our wellness coaches are trained specialists who can provide professional and personal coaching to law enforcement, medical, first responders, and their families. We are here to provide confidential and free appointments to you or members of your family.
First things first. Your mental, emotional, and spiritual health come first. Contact us by phone or schedule a brief consultation today.
Connection
In times of stress and difficulty, a secure and trusted connection serves as a vital lifeline. When we feel truly heard and understood, it creates the foundation necessary for trauma recovery. Connecting with those who have shared experiences allows for a strong foundation of understanding.
Confidentiality
All services we provide are completely confidential. Nothing will be reported to your employer, coworkers, or family members. For your security and peace of mind, we use HIPAA-compliant software for all video consultations, and provide private office settings for in-person appointments.
Communication
Sharing your story in a safe environment and hearing others’ experiences creates meaningful connections and reminds you that you’re never alone in your journey. Our trained team of first responders and family members ready to listen, share experiences, and link you to resources.
Wellness Coaches for First Responders, Family of First Responders, and Faith
Our team of Wellness Coaches are trained First Responders and family members that are here to listen, share experiences, and help connect you with the right resources. Whether you prefer to meet in person or over video calls, we’re available for support and guidance. Our coaches aren’t therapists, but they can help you find clinical services for individual, family, or group counseling, along with other local resources. You can request to meet with a Wellness Coach that best fits your situation and what you’re dealing with. (Coaching sessions are for adults only.)
Hope Crawford
Victim Advocate and first responder spouse
Experience: traumatic scenes, scheduling stress, married to a first responder
Focused on: trauma support, first responder family member support, faith based support
Years in service: 12
Jeff Crawford
Active Fire Chief and first responder spouse
Experience: trauma and crisis, paramedic and firefighter
Focused on: trauma and crisis support, professional leadership support, first responder family member support
Years in service: 30
Corina Hill
Former Corrections Officer
Experience: corrections department
Focused on: first responder family member support with abuse and mental health issues, anxiety and depression support
Years in service: (coming soon)
Jimmy Watson
Active Sheriff’s Lieutenant
Experience: crime scnene trauma, deaths (including first responders), crisis negotiations
Focused on: trama support, death and grief support, high-stress situation support
Years in service: 21
Mariah Harrington
Active Correctional Probation Specialist
Experience: work-related trauma, high-stress situations, certified in Mental Health First Aid
Focused on: leadership, time management, family support, grief support, problem-solving and communication
Years in service: 7
Ariana Nicole Nash
Active Law Enforcement Officer and first responder spouse
Experience: EMT, traumatic scenes, married to a first responder
Focused on: female first responder support, postpartum depression while working, first responder family member support
Years in service: (coming soon)
Anthony Cortes
Active Sheriff’s Detective
Experience: (coming soon)
Focused on: (coming soon)
Years in service: (coming soon)
Christine Douglas
First Responder Spouse
Experience: married to first responder, family scheduling stress
Focused on: marriage and relationship support, parenthood support, female first responder support, faith based support
Years in service: 13
Carrie Weatherspoon
Former Correctional Officer
Experience: corrections department
Focused on: (coming soon)
Years in service: (coming soon)
Larry Crosby
Former Fire Department Chaplain
Experience: trauma counseling with firefighters, certified in Mental Health First Aid
Focused on: first responder trauma and work-related stresses, faith-based support
Years in service: (coming soon)
Meet in person at one of our private Lake City offices
Meet virtually through our secure client portal
We know you’re busy juggling life and work schedules, so we make it convenient for you by offering in-person or virtual appointments during the day or in the evenings. In-person meetings are available for Columbia County and virtual meetings are available for Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor Counties.
Step 1
Contact us through phone or website.
Step 2
Receive a call or email within 24 hours for a consultation.
Step 3
Be paired with a Wellness Coach who will contact you within a week.
Step 4
Your Wellness Coach will check in periodically.
Stay Fit for Duty
First Responder Peer Support is made up of trained wellness specialists, who are current or former first responders. That means less explaining, better understanding and more useful help.
When you contact us, you’ll be paired with a wellness coach located near you who will listen, offer support, and can identify other resources that may be available to you.
It’s time to talk about it. Consider it preventative maintenance. It’s a way to let some pressure out of the gauge, to keep work from getting in the way of your personal life, and to stay fit for continued duty.
First Things First serves active or former First Responders, Law Enforcement, Firefighters, EMS/Hospital/Medical Personnel, Dispatch or Communications, Probation Officers, Corrections, and Military or Veterans, and their families.
This initiative is funded by LSF Health Systems and the Florida Department of Children and Families.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing special accommodations to participate in any meeting/hearing should contact LSF Health Systems at 904-900-1075 for assistance.
All of our services are strictly confidential and will not be reported to your employer, coworkers, or your family members. Resilience Coaches are not therapists, but can provide resources for clinical services for individual, family, or group counseling. All video conferencing calls are HIPPA compliant.
This company does not maintain 24-hour access to phone or email. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room or contact:
Suicide Prevention Lifeline – (800) 273-TALK or (800) SUICIDE
Crisis Text Line – Text NAMI to 741-741. Connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message.
HIPAA Notification
Notes to Clients
There are inherent confidentiality risks in communicating by most forms of electronic communication or even in the presence of such devices. While safeguards are in place to help ensure your privacy, you should not use email communication if you are concerned about any breaches of privacy that might inadvertently occur. You should use the telephone or in person forms to communicate that information.