JULIE MERRIMAN, PH.D., LPC-S, CYT

Dr. Julie Merriman has been a mental health professional for over 25 years, working both as a clinician and as a professor. She also serves as a professor of counseling for Northwestern College in Iowa. Since 2007, Dr. Merriman has researched the occupational hazards (burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma) of the helping fields (counselors, first responders, nurses, law enforcement and more), and, in her passion to make a difference, she’s taken her research to hundreds via education, motivational speaking, podcasting, and publications. Her therapy modalities include EMDR, CBT, and Yoga.

Beyond her clinical experience, Dr. Merriman has also shared 35 years with her Texas State Trooper husband, being married for 30, and she is also the proud mom of a Houston firefighter. Her insight into protecting and preserving family life in public safety includes perspectives and strategies as a therapist, wife, and mother, and is not something you will want to miss. Her recent book, In Pursuit of Soul Joy: A 12-Week Guide for Overcoming Burnout and Compassion Fatigue is available on Amazon.

Dr. Merriman got her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Texas Tech University. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, and a Certified Yoga Therapist. She lives in Central Texas on a ranch with her husband, Kelly, lots of fur babies, and their pet bull, Larry.

SCOTT COTHRAN

Scott Cothran is retired second-generation Metro Nashville Police Sergeant, having had the privilege of working alongside his father, Detective Billy Cothran, who served there for 33 years, but passed away two years after retirement due to alcoholism. This significant loss caused Scott to reevaluate his life and actions, and led him to step forward and be the first “test case” in a newly established Wellness Unit.

Unfortunately, the stigmas in the culture branded him and he was treated poorly by his department after he returned from treatment, despite being a highly decorated officer, some of which included the Lifesaving Award, Meritorious Service Award, and the 2011 Investigator of the Year Award.

Scott shares his story of the continued substance abuse and unresolved trauma that caused him to lose everything, including his marriage, and took him to what he called the “bottom of life”, where only death looked like the way out. Fortunately, Scott did find his way, and along with it, a new marriage, and a new post-retirement career helping first responders with the same issues he struggled with. He is a strong advocate that treatment can really make the difference, if it's the right treatment.

LAWSON “GUS” STEWART, CHAPLAIN, LP, NRP

Lawson "Gus" Stuart is a 21 year veteran firefighter, chaplain, and was an Active Duty and Reserve Member of the US Air Force from 2006 to 2014. He is currently employed by the Department of Defense as a civilian Fire Captain for Dyess Air Force Base Fire & Emergency Services in Abilene, Texas, a Paramedic for MetroCare EMS in Abilene, and is an Adjunct Faculty Member with Texas State Technical College at the Abilene Campus.

Gus has taken a personal interest in getting in the trenches with first responders to take on the challenges that come with the culture and how it effects family life. He shares an incredible battle of being a disabled veteran of PTSD, the addiction issues that followed, combined with the stressors of working in public safety, and the key reasons his marriage stayed together through it all.

Gus dedicates his personal time leading men's groups in his church that combat pornography addiction, and is working to bring the Reboot Recovery program to Abilene to apply a Biblical healing approach to PTSD for military, first responders, and others. He is also an active member of Celebrate Recovery, the Biblical-based program for 12-step addiction recovery.

Gus is currently attending Abilene Christian University for a Master of Divinity. In addition to this, he is in the process of becoming certified by the Association of Biblical Christian Counselors. His other educational accomplishments include Fire Science degrees from the Community College of the Air Force and the American Military University.

Gus and his wife, Erin, have been married for 19 years and live in Abilene with their two sons.

EMILY HYDE, FF, LP, LMSW

Emily Hyde is a 24 year veteran firefighter and paramedic, as well as a licensed master social worker. She has worked for the Lockhart Fire Department, City of Lockhart EMS, and as a flight paramedic for Air Evac, Hays County ESD 8 Fire and EMS, and the City of Luling EMS. Emily's additional experience has been working for the State of Texas in EMS Compliance, and as a Manager of the EMS Licensing and Certification unit. Her education includes an AAS in Fire Technology, a BA in Public Safety Management, a licensed paramedic (LP), an advanced firefighter, an advanced coordinator for EMS education. She obtained her LMSW out of a desire to bring better mental health provisions to her culture and community.

Besides being an active first responder and mental health professional, Emily also brings the experience of being married to a first responder (Johnny Hyde) and is excited to be a part of helping not only first responders, but their marriage and family, too. Emily and Johnny live on a working ranch just outside of Buda, Texas with their 3 dogs and 17 goats.

JOHNNY HYDE, BATTALION CHIEF, FF, LP

Johnny Hyde is a 32 year veteran firefighter, Battalion Chief, and licensed paramedic. Despite growing up in Texas, Johnny fulfilled his childhood dream to become a firefighter in the Swatara Township of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1992, when he became a volunteer firefighter at the Reliance Hose Company Number #1 (Company 45); however, four years later, in a desire to raise his three boys among his extended family, Johnny moved back to his hometown in Texas and joined the Manchaca Volunteer Fire Department, where he would become a full time employee. In 2006, he was recruited by the Fire Chief of the Buda Fire Department, where he continues to serve as a Battalion Chief.

Johnny's education includes an AAS in Fire Protection Technology, and a BAAS in Fire and Emergency Services Administration. Besides his local duties, he has also been deployed on behalf of the State of Texas for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and for TIFMAS for both Wildland incidents and All Hazards. Johnny was certified with StarFlight as a helicopter crew member for the Wildland Firefighting Helicopter (StarFlight 4) until the program was disbanded.

Besides his experience as a first responder, Johnny brings with him a contrast of two marriages—one that has effectively supported his unique role as a first responder in the home life (his current marriage), and one that didn't (his former marriage). He is passionate about joining his wife, Emily, to teach what they have learned to other first responder couples. Johnny has been married to Emily for 9 years and lives on the family ranch in Manchaca, Texas. He is a proud dad of three grown sons and a grown stepson.

BRETT RETHERFORD

Brett Retherford served in the Army National Guard for 8 years before he became a police officer in 2011. He is currently a detective for the Bexar County Sheriff's Office special victims unit, investigating crimes related to family violence, sexual assault, and crimes against elderly or disabled persons, with previous experience in corrections, patrol, mental health, and hostage negotiations.

His passion for wellness issues in public safety led him to work towards his Masters in Counseling Psychology, gaining experience in the areas of trauma, PTSD, marriage and family, and substance abuse.

Brett calls San Antonio, Texas, his home, where he and his fiancé Jose are parents of three dogs.

JULIE VILLAFUERTE, LPC ASSOCIATE

Julie Villafuerte is an Army veteran and trauma-informed therapist who is dedicated to helping clients heal from their wounds, increase emotional resilience, and live their lives fearlessly.

Julie's real world experience in mental health began with her husband of 27 years—a combat veteran who battled chronic PTSD. This path led her to become a therapist and has since helped many afflicted by trauma, as well as anxiety, depression, grief, marital conflict, and codependency.

Using a holistic framework, Julie balances the mental, emotional, and physical wellness to support the whole person. She also offers Christian counseling for clients who desire faith integration into therapy. Her modalities include EMDR, ART, CBT, and EFT, counseling with both teens, adults, and couples.

Julie graduated from The Kings University with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, and is currently an LPC Associate under the supervision of Mary Dainty, Ph.D., LPC-S. She and her husband, David, enjoy living in Watauga, Texas with their Pitbull Monty and Pug Frankie.

KAILEE RUBRIGHT, LMSW

Kailee Rubright is an Air Force combat veteran and a licensed master social worker, working with veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders since 2018. Her whole-body health approach encourages individuals to understand the need for their body, both mentally and physically, to heal after experiencing trauma.

With a focus on trauma, PTSD, domestic violence, and personality disorders, Kailee utilizes the modalities of EMDR, CPT, mindfulness, and C-DBT within groups and individual therapy. Her popular “Cuss and Discuss” group therapy is ideal for veterans and first responders both.

Kailee and her husband, both combat veterans, live in Fort Worth with their 7 year old son and 2 dogs, Emma and Chloe (a PTSD service dog!).

AMY WHITE

On February 17, 2018, Amy White became the proud wife of Dallas Firefighter Quinton White, and had two children, Ayden (now age 5) and Abigail (now age 1). Their life together was marked by both joy and significant challenges, reflective of the demanding nature of being a first responder and raising a family with one; however, on February 1, 2024, her world was shattered when her husband took his own life. In an instant, everything she had ever dreamed of now seemed gone.

Despite grappling with unimaginable grief and questions of “Why!?!”, she describes a fire that was ignited within her, driving her to ensure her husband's story would not end in vain. Her passion is to call out the stigmas and address what is broken about mental health support in public safety, including the lack of preemptive suicide outreach, and post-suicide support for surviving family members, as well as the need to address marriage and family life.