The REBOOT First Responders Program: Insights of U.S. Graduates

The REBOOT First Responders program offers spiritual care for occupational stress. Although prior work suggests benefits to the program, no research has considered attendees’ experiences in an open-ended way. The aim of this study was to document first responders’ thoughts about the effectiveness, evaluation, and effects of the course in their own words. Interviews with 36 graduates living in the U.S. indicated favorable perceptions of the course. Reasons for success included the program’s tangible benefits, community atmosphere, and faith-based approach (RQ1). Strengths involved helping first responders realize they are not alone and educating them about trauma; recommended upgrades involved customizing to specific occupations and offering ongoing support (RQ2). Effects included more self-acceptance, enhanced spirituality, better relationships, a more constructive view of trauma, and greater optimism about the future (RQ3). These results have implications for improving spiritual care for first responders.