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PTSD
PTSD is a disorder often resulting from experiencing a shocking, dangerous or traumatic event that overwhelms an individual’s built-in coping abilities.
Sleep Disturbance
Shift work and difficulty sleeping are accepted as the norm in emergency services.
Hypervigilance Syndrome
Hypervigilance syndrome, common in first responders, describes the drastic swing between two phases, the on-duty and off-duty phases.
End of Career Distress
All good things come to an end, and this includes rewarding and exciting careers in public service.
Services for Individual Responders
Individual responders need not be part of a particular emergency services agency to access our support.
Embedded Behavioral Health
The Embedded Behavioral Health (EBH) model is an early intervention and treatment structure of the BH care model that promotes first responder readiness and resilience.
Services for Agencies & Departments
We deliver services to help agencies and departments integrate BH into the agency/department structure to better serve communities and personnel.
Clinical Consultation For Peer Teams
More and more agencies and departments are developing their own internal peer support teams.
Meet the team
Rick Baker
Rick Baker, has been providing evidence-based behavioral health services to first responders and responder agencies in North Carolina since 2007. He is the current Clinical Director of the Western North Carolina Peer Support Network, providing oversight of and post-critical incident services to first responders, across all disciplines, in North Carolina’s 22 westernmost counties. Rick is […]
Jessica Smith
Jessica received her master’s degree from Western Carolina University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Jessica focuses on providing quality therapy using empirically-based treatments including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Jessica has worked with individuals struggling with anxiety, mood and psychotic disorders. She specializes in substance abuse and dual diagnosis treatment. Jessica is […]
Crystal M. Joudry
Crystal received her master’s degree from Montreat College’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She is currently pursuing a Phd in Counseling and Psychological Studies at Regent University specializing in Trauma and Crisis work. Crystal focuses on providing quality therapy using empirically based treatments including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Crystal […]
Joellen Rhyndress
Joellen has more than 15 years of experience providing crisis response and trauma-related behavioral health support. She has done extensive work with first responders and with communities recovering from natural disasters and mass casualty events. Joellen has personal experience as well with first responder culture as she has grown up in the LE family. She […]
Amanda Lutz
Amanda received her master’s degree from Western Carolina University’s Clinical Psychology program. Amanda focuses on providing client-centered quality therapy using empirically-based treatments such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Amanda has worked with individuals struggling with anxiety, mood, ADHD, trauma, and psychotic disorders. Amanda has assisted the Western North Carolina Peer Support Network by providing clinical support […]
Joel Puryear, PA
Joel completed his paramedic training at AB Tech before going to work as a paramedic in South Carolina and Georgia. He went on to pursue PA training at the Medex PA Program at the University of Washington. He moved back to Western North Carolina to work as a psychiatric provider in 2014 and owns Ridgeline […]
Signi Goldman, MD
Dr. Signi Goldman is a board certified General Adult Psychiatrist. She has practiced in multiple clinical settings, both in hospital systems and alternative treatment centers, and integrates these approaches into an individualized, evidence-based practice. Dr. Goldman graduated from University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and completed residency training at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic at […]
Testimonials:
Nelda St. Clair, Bureau of Land Management, National Office FA-100
Nelda St. Clair, Bureau of Land Management, National Office FA-100 Position: National Critical Incident Stress Program Manager Rick Baker is one of the few Mental Health Professionals selected by the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Interior to provide clinical expertise for wildland fire and aviation personnel who have been involved in a critical […]
Van Duncan, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Office
Van Duncan, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Office Position: Sheriff Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office has found that having embedded mental health has been of tremendous benefit. Law enforcement officers and first responders see tragedy on a regular basis. Even though it becomes part of their day-to-day job, the trauma they see impacts them the same as […]
Jesse English, Mitchell County Emergency Management
Jesse English, Mitchell County Emergency Management Position: Director Why small county law enforcement officers need clinical services, or better yet, embedded clinical services? Being in law enforcement and responding to traumatic events and emergencies anywhere is hard, it takes a physical and mental toll on officers and on their families. The issues working in smaller […]
Eric Martinez, USDA Forest Service, National Incident Management Organization
Eric Martinez, USDA Forest Service, National Incident Management Organization Position: National Critical Incident Stress Management Coordinator I have had the pleasure of knowing Rick Baker for two years. During the years of our acquaintance, I have known Rick to go far beyond his responsibilities while assignments. Rick is one of the trauma clinicians I have […]
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