Resources for Veterinary Teams

Here are some of the resources available for those in the veterinary field that need counseling or other assistance.

Support Groups

AVMA Suicide Prevention Training – QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training, also known as gatekeeper training, teaches people without professional mental health backgrounds to recognize the signs that someone may be considering suicide, establish a dialogue, and guide the person to seek professional help.

Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement  – Monthly support group for veterinarians and their team members.

Not One More Vet – NOMV provides the necessary support to all members of veterinary teams and students who are struggling or considering suicide.

Shanti Project – Free individual and group support through the Veterinary Mental Health Initiative

Veterinary Hope Foundation Support Groups– The Veterinary Hope Foundation offers small group sessions for veterinary professionals. These groups provide resources, information, and community to better handle the unique stressors of the profession.

Vets4Vets – Confidential peer support for veterinarians and veterinary students through the Vin Foundation.

Resources

AVMA Resources – Tools and resources available through the AVMA.

Duke Center for Healthcare Safety & Quality – Provides resources, support, and online communities aimed at improving the well-being of those in the healthcare profession.

Harbor Community – Offers well-being and financial information as well as a mentorship community.

IMAlive – Suicide intervention, prevention, awareness, and education.

Palouse Mindfulness – Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program (Free)

Start Your Recovery – Resource for individuals struggling with substance abuse

Stop a Suicide Today Foundation – Warning Signs

Hotlines

National Hotline – (800) 273-8255

Crisis Text Line – HOME to 741741

Education

To Save A Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal-Welfare Warrior (2016) by Jennifer A. Blough, MA, LLPC

The Unspoken Life: Recognize Your Passion, Embrace Imperfection and Stay Connected by Kimberly Pope-Robinson, DVM, CCFP – Worksheets available online

1 Life Connected Courses

Individual Therapists

Sarah Czopek and her team at Grace and Gratitude Counseling – Works primarily with women and helping professionals, particularly in medical and education fields.

Dr. Jackson Newsome at Forge Psychology – Works with trauma and anxiety/depression, large parts of compassion fatigue, and burnout in helping professions

Rachel Menge, LCSW, PMH-C at Mind Made Well, PLLC – Specializes in anxiety, depression, and perinatal/maternal mental health and works with helping professionals in a brief, solution-focused treatment

Eric Koll, LCSW at Keystone Mental Health – Specializes in men’s mental health, trauma, and stress. Was featured on HBO Academy Award-Winning documentary, “Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1”

Megan Cannon, LCSW, PMH-C and her team at Back to Balance Counseling, LLC – Specializes in trauma, maternal mental health, and anxiety. Competent for work with those in the helping profession.

Stephanie Seals, LCSW at Engaged Awareness – Former vet tech, a certified yoga teacher for trauma, and utilizes a trauma-centered approach (very beneficial for those with compassion fatigue or moral stress) including EMDR.

Christine Gulych, LCSW and Linda Sasson, LCSW at Integrative Counseling – Both work with helping professionals and those in grief and utilize evidence-based approaches to address a myriad of issues including depression, anxiety, postpartum concerns, and trauma.

Hallie Schwartz, LCPC at Chicago Institute for Change – Hallie is proficient in working with helping professionals and has a burnout support group for this particular population. Email her at hschwartz@chicagoinstituteforchange.com for information. She has experience treating anxiety, depression, self-esteem concerns, disordered eating, addictions, and trauma.