Nicole E Marcia
As a clinical counsellor, yoga therapist and educator, Nicole Marcia is committed to working with first responders and their families. Here, she shares what brought her to teach the Introduction to Addictions course in our First Responders Trauma Prevention and Recovery program.
What motivated you to get involved with the SFU first responders program?
I had been working as a yoga therapist with first responders and their families since 2017. I received my designation as a Registered Clinical Counsellor in 2023 and continued to have a deep desire to support first responders and the vital work that they do for and in our communities. When the opportunity arose to bring my commitment to working with this population to the online classroom, I jumped at the chance.
In what ways do you bring your extensive professional experience to the online classroom?
While I had been working with first responders for a couple of years, it wasn鈥檛 until 2019 when I completed the BC Professional Fire Fighters Association Occupational Awareness for Treating First Responder Trauma training (BCPFFA Levels 1 & 2), that I really started to get a better sense of the culture that many of my clients were a part of. This training taught me about ways to teach and support first responders in a culturally sensitive manner.
From 2019 to 2021, I provided therapeutic yoga programming, individual sessions and mindfulness classes to public safety personnel, first responders, military veterans and civilians diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder within a 10-week Resilient LivingTM Trauma Day Treatment Program at Boreal Wellness. This allowed me a chance to get to know more about some of the personal and professional pressures that first responders face and the need for flexibility and compassion in the online classroom. First responders have so much on their plates, if they show up to learn, I want to facilitate that in a way that makes it rich, meaningful and low stress.
My training and professional experience has taught me about the natural resilience of this population as well as their deep commitment to the public. I am inspired by that commitment and strive to bring it to my classroom too. I try to meet students where they are at, to trust in their expertise and to learn from them as much as they might learn from me. It鈥檚 an honour to be able to give back in some small way through this course.
Why do you feel it鈥檚 important for first responders to learn about addiction?
I think that there is both a cultural pressure to utilize substances (alcohol in particular) to manage stress in some circles, and at the same time, a stigma that exists when addiction arises. This stigma can come from external sources and also be internalized. It鈥檚 important to normalize and destigmatize addiction, so that first responders feel empowered to ask for the help that they need, provide that support to their family and colleagues and also enhance their working relationships with the public. This course is unique in that it invites students to consider all three of these realms. Throughout the course there are opportunities to engage in personal assessment of addictive behaviour and enhance awareness of addiction warning signs.
What do you hope students will take away from your course?
I would hope that students take away a sense of compassion for self and others, hope and empowerment. I often witness students in the class really supporting and uplifting one another, and I like to think that that ripples out into our communities.
Who do you think can benefit the most from your course?
First responders and public safety personnel interested in learning more about theories on addiction, the stages of addiction, as well as prevention methods and treatment. First responders interested in learning more about various frameworks for practice in mental health and addictions, including values, philosophies, and multicultural and Indigenous perspectives, as well as community resources.
What do you find most rewarding about teaching in this program?
I love facilitating a space for students to connect with and learn from one another.