Grateful for the opportunity to support the Greater Boston Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team at the MIT Police Department.

A sincere thank you to Sgt. Yessenia Gomez for the invitation to present at the Greater Boston CISM Team meeting, and to Deputy Chief DeMarco and the MIT Police Department for hosting the event.

What is GB CISM?

The GB CISM team is a diverse group of law enforcement officers, clinicians, and spiritual leaders with varied skill sets and years of experience who come together from 43 cities and towns. They respond to critical incidents, such as line-of-duty deaths or serious work-related injuries, to provide confidential support behind the scenes.

It was a privilege to connect with team members both in person and virtually to share functional movement drills, breathing techniques, and the power of small steps of self-care for a first responder’s lifestyle.

During my talk, I also shared my personal experience living with clinical depression and the difficulty of saying those three words, “I need help.” Opening up about being on the receiving end of first-responder care during a difficult period with untreated depression was deeply personal. Having served as a first responder myself, I know how vital it is to give that same care back—and to show that seeking support is a true sign of strength.

Key Workshop Takeaways & Focus Areas:

  • Functional Movement Drills: Simple, space-efficient physical resets designed for shift work.

  • Diaphragmatic Breathing: Practical techniques to manage stress response and improve recovery.

  • Self-Care Integration: Small, actionable daily steps to protect long-term physical resilience on and off duty.

Thank you to the entire GB CISM team and to our hosts at the MIT Police Department, as well as all of our public safety and first responders, for your continued service and dedication to our community!

Interested in a presentation or workshop for your team?

To learn more about custom programs, adaptive movement sessions, or first responder health and self-care workshops, feel free to reach out via the Contact Page