Instructors: Mike Wasilewski & Althea Olson

Counseling law enforcement officers can be uniquely challenging for the therapist. Policing is a demanding and often dangerous profession and its practitioners develop coping skills, and a physical and mental toughness, in order to meet those demands and dangers. Ironically, the very skills that enable them to survive street encounters often wreak havoc at home, in their personal lives, and within the political structure of their agencies. They can also be obstacles standing in the way of successful therapy.

In this course you will be introduced to the mindset and world of the cop, how they can impact the officer’s emotional and relational well-being and common obstacles you may encounter treating a police officer. And you will be introduced to the strategies and practices of a “Cop Friendly Therapist” designed to build rapport and respect between therapist and the police client, and to overcome the obstacles to successful therapy.

Instructors: Mike Wasilewski & Althea Olson

Policing can be unpredictable, and there are few times this is truer than when an officer is responding to an incident involving an emotionally disturbed person (EDP).

The popular notion of the police as intrepid crime fighters – the thin blue line – is only part of the police role in society. Policing is about serving as well as protecting, and often that means responding to incidents involving the mentally ill and emotionally disturbed. These are some of the most common calls you will take on as a police officer so understanding mental illness and how best to respond to it is a critical job skill. In fact, mental disorders are likely to play a significant role in many of the crimes you investigate and knowing how to recognize and accommodate the mentally ill offender, victim, or witness will enhance your skill set.

This interactive class provides a solid foundation for understanding mental illness and practical instruction in “best practice” response. It is a valuable tool for your law enforcement career.

Instructors: Mike Wasilewski & Althea Olson

Think law enforcement is a tough job? Marriage is tougher! At least, building a truly successful, long-term, “riding-out-the-storms” marriage is hard, demanding work.

So, if law enforcement and marriage are both difficult and demanding endeavors, how hard must it be to build a successful law enforcement marriage where one or both partners is an LEO? Apparently, very much so if the evidence is to be believed. With divorce rates far exceeding those of the general public, the unique stressors of a law enforcement career put police marriages at high risk of failure.

Survival Skills for Police Marriages is just the course to provide the insight and skills to make your marriage not just survive, but thrive. Designed with couples in mind, we invite officers and their spouses (or any significant other) to attend together. Sure, law enforcement and marriage might both be tough but, if done right, are exciting, fun, and deeply rewarding!

Instructors: Mike Wasilewski & Althea Olson

Going home at the end of the day is the goal of every good cop, and mastery of the tactical skills necessary to physically survive a long career is key. But knowing how to survive the job emotionally is a too often neglected component of officer safety, and the very tactical skills that keep you alive on the street may even threaten you away from it.

“Survival BEYOND the Street” examines how a law enforcement career threatens officers’ home and personal lives, wearing away at officers’ ability to fit in with the society they are sworn to protect and leaving broken personal relationships in its wake. We then teach a practical and reality-based approach, focusing on skill development and practice, designed to teach off-duty survival skills, fix damaged relationships, solidify intact ones, and demonstrate how a well-rounded individual can be a better cop. The importance of balance, healthy detachment from work, and developing the “whole person” is emphasized.

Instructors: Mike Wasilewski & Althea Olson

Being a cop is more than what you do, it is who you ARE!!! It’s how you think of and define yourself, and it’s a title to wear with pride. Law enforcement is a unique and challenging profession, practiced by men & women specially wired to take on those challenges.

Balancing on-and-off duty life is something we all face, and where many of us falter. Knowing how and when to “cross police lines” and lead a well-rounded life is crucial for personal – and professional – success.

This course examines common personal & professional roadblocks that prevent officers from leading a “360° life.” We teach a reality-based approach focused on developing the whole person. After all, a balanced cop is an energized cop.

Crossing Police Lines 
Date: 11/07/11
Time: 8AM-4PM
Where: St. Louis County & Municipal Police Academy, St. Louis
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Instructors: Mike Wasilewski & Althea Olson

Depressive and anxiety disorders exact a terrible toll on police officers. This course examines the prevalence of depression and anxiety in law enforcement officers, the many (sometimes deadly) dangers they poses, and factors unique to the Job and to cops that may increase their likelihood within the ranks. Facts and myths about these disorders and their treatment will be clarified. Special emphasis on the roles of peers, supervisors, and mental health professionals in combating these destroyers are discussed.