First Responders & Families

Serving others takes commitment, courage, and sacrifice. But the stress of first responder work does not always end when the shift is over.

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The experiences of police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other first responders can affect sleep, relationships, mood, parenting, communication, and overall well-being. Those effects can also reach the people closest to them.

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At My Choice Counseling & Wellness, our First Responder Program supports both eligible first responders and their immediate dependents, including spouses and children.

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Through our partnership with the 100 Club of San Antonio, eligible first responders and their families can access no-cost counseling with licensed mental health professionals who understand that asking for support is not a sign of weakness.

It is an investment in yourself, your family, and your future.Our services are completely confidential.

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Choose Healing.

You do not have to wait until things become overwhelming to talk to someone.

Healing can mean processing a difficult call.

It can mean finally addressing stress that has accumulated over years of service.

It can mean improving sleep, managing anxiety, working through grief, reconnecting with your spouse, supporting your child, or simply having a confidential place where you do not have to carry the responsibility of being the strong one.

For spouses and children, healing may look different.

It may mean learning how to cope with worry about a loved one's safety, adjusting to unpredictable schedules, navigating changes in family dynamics, or having a safe place to talk about how first responder life affects the entire household.

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Counseling can provide support for:

• Trauma and difficult calls

• Chronic stress and burnout

• Anxiety and depression

• Sleep difficulties

• Grief and loss

• Anger and irritability

• Relationship concerns

• Parenting and family stress

• Work-life balance

• Major life or career transitions

• Emotional effects of first responder life on spouses and children

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Healing does not require being in crisis. Sometimes it simply begins with recognizing that something could be better.

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Choose Strength.

First responders are trained to respond when other people need help.

That same strength can sometimes make it difficult to recognize when support would be helpful personally.

Strength is not ignoring stress.

Strength is not pretending a difficult call did not affect you.

Strength is not carrying everything home because you believe you should be able to handle it alone.

Sometimes strength means recognizing when the demands of the job are beginning to affect your health, relationships, family, or quality of life—and choosing to do something about it.

Counseling can help first responders develop healthier ways to manage occupational stress, process difficult experiences, strengthen relationships, and remain connected to the people and parts of life that matter most.

For spouses and children, strength can mean learning how to communicate, cope with uncertainty, navigate family stress, and understand their own emotional reactions to the realities of first responder life.

Taking care of your mental health can be another way of protecting the people you care about.

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Choose You.

You spend your career answering calls for help.

Your family spends years supporting the person who answers those calls.

There should also be a place where you are supported.

Whether you are a first responder experiencing the effects of the job, a spouse trying to navigate the realities of first responder life, or a parent seeking support for your child, counseling can provide a confidential place to focus on what you need.

You do not need to have all the answers before reaching out.

You only need to take the first step.

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Choose yourself today.

Request a confidential counseling appointment through our First Responder Program.

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(830) 282.7980

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Who Is Eligible?

Our First Responder Counseling Program is available to eligible first responders serving or residing within the program's designated service area, including:

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• Police officers and other eligible law enforcement personnel

• Firefighters

• City- or county-employed EMTs and emergency medical personnel

• Eligible federal first responders residing within the identified service areas

• Eligible state first responders residing within the identified service areas

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Immediate Dependents

Eligible services also extend to the first responder's immediate dependents, including:

• Spouses

• Children (up to age 25)

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A first responder does not have to be the person seeking counseling for an eligible spouse or child to receive support.

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Communities We Serve

Our First Responder Program serves eligible first responders and their immediate dependents connected to:

Bexar County
Atascosa County
Bandera County
Medina County
Wilson County
Kerr County
Uvalde County

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If you are unsure whether you or your family member qualifies, contact My Choice Counseling & Wellness and our team can help you determine the appropriate next step.​

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In-Person & Telehealth Options Available

In-person counseling is available at our New Braunfels office, with telehealth options available Statewide.​

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