First Wellness Responder
About the Program
Our First Responder Wellness program was developed to increase the awareness and supports for the emotional wellness of first responders in Fort Bend County. In addition to training and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) support, we provide free and confidential mental health services. We believe in the importance of suicide prevention and awareness. We promote total wellness, healing from moral injury, and building resilience.
Services Provided
Consultation
Individual Therapy
Group Therapy
Critical Incident Stress Management - CISM
Referrals
Education & Training
Outreach & Prevention
About the Therapist
Kayla Elwood Agudo is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, under the clinical supervision of Krystin Holmes PhD, LPC-S, LMFT-S, NCC. Her firsthand experience as a police officer has given her insight into the effects of trauma and prolonged hypervigilance on the mind and body. She is trained in EMDR. Using a range of evidence-based practices, Kayla builds partnerships with individuals through collaborative goal-building, setting realistic and achievable objectives, normalizing reactions, processing activating events, and validating their experiences. Kayla also provides trainings and seminars around wellness, crisis intervention, mental health, and suicide prevention.
Focus Areas
PTSD™
Trauma
Critical Incidents
Adjustment Disorders
Anxiety
Depression
Grief
Suicide Prevention & Awareness
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)
Critical Incident Stress Management is a form of psychological first aid designed to assist first responders in returning to their normal level of cognitive, emotional, physical and behavioral functioning after being involved in a critical incident. It is not psychotherapy or group therapy. CISM provides departments with debriefs defusing's, one-on-ones, on-scene support, education, resources, and referrals.
Kayla and Dr. Connie Almeida provide clinical support to the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office CISM Team. The team is composed of department members, and a Chaplain, who have been specially trained in peer support and crisis intervention techniques. Team members also work in conjunction with other local peer support teams to establish working relationships, share resources, and exchange training materials. If your department is in need of CISM services, please contact us or the Agency Coordinator, Captain Tiffaney Budnik, with the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office.
Education & Training
Kayla is a certified Basic Instructor with TCOLE. She provides trainings for Law Enforcement classes, as well as other first responders. Kayla offers trainings and presentations on Stress Management, Crisis Intervention, PTSD, Suicide Awareness and Prevention, and other topics around Mental Health and Mindfulness for First Responders.