Online Support Groups for Law Enforment, Military, and Their Families
With the recent COVID-19 crisis and ongoing anti-police sentiment, LEOS and their families are dealing with unrelenting stress. Our sessions strive to maintain resilience, strengthen coping, and provide a safe and confidential space to share experiences.
Sign up once and drop-in to your session whenever you like.
You can also sign up for a one time, one-on-one consultation. To do so, please click the button below.
Sign up once and drop-in to your session whenever you like.
You can also sign up for a one time, one-on-one consultation. To do so, please click the button below.
Click on the registration link to sign up for your preferred group. YOU MUST READ THE INFORMED CONSENT below before registering.
Desert Refuge for Peace Officers and Military Personnel
Support Group Participant Consent
To make this group safe, supportive, productive, and the best experience possible for group participants, we
ask that each participant agree to abide by the following:
Attendance: You may choose to attend only one session or several group sessions that are offered. The group
format works best if everyone comes at the scheduled time. Sessions will close at 10 past the hour to ensure
minimum disruptions to participants already in the session. In addition, participation will be limited to 10
people.
Presence: If you decide to attend groups, please ensure you are visible on camera and have working audio.
Facilitators and participants are prohibited from recording videoconference sessions or taking and storing any
still images from videoconference sessions.
Privacy: We ask that you join from a space that is private, with no other person, such as friends or family
members in the room with you while the group is in session. This ensures privacy for all participants. We
encourage the use of headphones to minimize the risk of accidental disclosures.
Active Participation: This can mean actively listening and/or sharing your thoughts, feelings, and reactions in a
respectful way.
Confidentiality: Group participants will be expected to uphold one another’s right to privacy. All information
disclosed within session is confidential and may not be discussed outside of the group to non-participants. In
addition, the group facilitator cannot reveal information about you without your written permission except where
disclosure is required by law, such as in the following situations:
- If you present an imminent threat to yourself or others
- When there is an indication of abuse of a child, elder or dependent adult
- When grave disability is suspected
Setting: DRPO support groups take place on the virtual platform Zoom. Some possible risks involved in using
videoconferencing include but are not limited to: technological failure such as unclear video, loss of sound,
poor connection, or loss of connection; difficulty in reading nonverbal cues by both the participant and the
volunteer; and potential for unauthorized access. Please also review the privacy policy and other information provided by Zoom, which is a third party service.
Facilitators: Group facilitators are mental health professionals however DRPO support groups are not therapy
and are in no way to be considered a substitution for therapy. If you would like professional mental health
services, your group facilitator can provide information on available resources.
Communication: Group facilitators volunteer their time, therefore they are only available during the group
session hour. Group facilitators will never solicit or accept friendship or other requests on social media
platforms. Emails sent to or from facilitators should be to obtain information about scheduling ONLY. Any other
inquiries should be made on the DRPO website under “Contact Us” or by emailing Virginia Hernandez at
ginaglcsw@aol.com.
Self-Care in Emergencies: If at any time I feel like harming myself or injuring another, I will call either 911 or go
to the nearest hospital emergency room.
By checking the box on the Zoom registration, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above
explanation regarding informed consent, confidentiality, risks and participant responsibilities. I agree to
participate/have my child participate in DRPO Support Groups. I agree to keep everything said during a support group meeting confidential.
Signature: ___________________________________ Date:________ (You may copy, print, & keep for your own records)
Support Group Participant Consent
To make this group safe, supportive, productive, and the best experience possible for group participants, we
ask that each participant agree to abide by the following:
Attendance: You may choose to attend only one session or several group sessions that are offered. The group
format works best if everyone comes at the scheduled time. Sessions will close at 10 past the hour to ensure
minimum disruptions to participants already in the session. In addition, participation will be limited to 10
people.
Presence: If you decide to attend groups, please ensure you are visible on camera and have working audio.
Facilitators and participants are prohibited from recording videoconference sessions or taking and storing any
still images from videoconference sessions.
Privacy: We ask that you join from a space that is private, with no other person, such as friends or family
members in the room with you while the group is in session. This ensures privacy for all participants. We
encourage the use of headphones to minimize the risk of accidental disclosures.
Active Participation: This can mean actively listening and/or sharing your thoughts, feelings, and reactions in a
respectful way.
Confidentiality: Group participants will be expected to uphold one another’s right to privacy. All information
disclosed within session is confidential and may not be discussed outside of the group to non-participants. In
addition, the group facilitator cannot reveal information about you without your written permission except where
disclosure is required by law, such as in the following situations:
- If you present an imminent threat to yourself or others
- When there is an indication of abuse of a child, elder or dependent adult
- When grave disability is suspected
Setting: DRPO support groups take place on the virtual platform Zoom. Some possible risks involved in using
videoconferencing include but are not limited to: technological failure such as unclear video, loss of sound,
poor connection, or loss of connection; difficulty in reading nonverbal cues by both the participant and the
volunteer; and potential for unauthorized access. Please also review the privacy policy and other information provided by Zoom, which is a third party service.
Facilitators: Group facilitators are mental health professionals however DRPO support groups are not therapy
and are in no way to be considered a substitution for therapy. If you would like professional mental health
services, your group facilitator can provide information on available resources.
Communication: Group facilitators volunteer their time, therefore they are only available during the group
session hour. Group facilitators will never solicit or accept friendship or other requests on social media
platforms. Emails sent to or from facilitators should be to obtain information about scheduling ONLY. Any other
inquiries should be made on the DRPO website under “Contact Us” or by emailing Virginia Hernandez at
ginaglcsw@aol.com.
Self-Care in Emergencies: If at any time I feel like harming myself or injuring another, I will call either 911 or go
to the nearest hospital emergency room.
By checking the box on the Zoom registration, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above
explanation regarding informed consent, confidentiality, risks and participant responsibilities. I agree to
participate/have my child participate in DRPO Support Groups. I agree to keep everything said during a support group meeting confidential.
Signature: ___________________________________ Date:________ (You may copy, print, & keep for your own records)
