We support First Responders and their families.
Real support for First Responder Families.
Rooted in understanding.
Focused on connection.
Supporting your child through the unique challenges of first responder family life.
When a parent works in emergency services, it can shape family life in ways that other people don't always understand.
Shift work, missed holidays, unpredictable schedules, worry about a parent's safety, and the emotional demands that can come with the job can all affect family life. For children and teens, those experiences can sometimes be difficult to make sense of or talk about.
At Dawn Therapy & Wellness Centre, we provide a welcoming, down-to-earth space where children, teens, and young adults from first responder families can talk things through, build practical coping skills, and feel understood.
Your family doesn't have to explain everything from the beginning to find support
A personal understanding of first responder families:
First responder families aren't unfamiliar territory for our Co-Director & Clinical Coordinator, Hailey.
With a sister who works as a paramedic, and a Dad and Uncle who are retired Durham Regional Police officers, Hailey has a personal connection to the first responder community. Through her own family, she understands that when someone works in emergency services, the impact of that work can extend beyond the individual and into family life.
The schedules, the uncertainty, the demands of the job, and the experiences that can be difficult to explain to people outside the profession can all shape the experiences of the people closest to a first responder. The ways that being a First Responder can impact parenting. She gets having different rules than other kids your age - maybe even parents who worry a little too much about you!
This personal connection informs Hailey's understanding of the families she works with. She recognizes the importance of creating space for children and teens to talk about their own experiences, including the things they may not feel comfortable bringing up at home.
As a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist, Hailey brings this understanding together with her professional experience supporting young people and families.
Her approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in real life. There's no pressure to have everything figured out, and no expectation that a young person will know exactly what to say when they walk through the door.
Sometimes, having someone who understands the bigger picture makes it a little easier to start talking about your own experience.
A job that impacts the whole family.
First responder families often develop their own routines, ways of adapting, and approaches to navigating the demands of the job.
Children may become accustomed to a parent working nights, missing important events, or being unavailable at times when other parents are home. They may hear conversations about difficult calls, notice changes in a parent's mood after a shift, or pick up on stress within the household without fully understanding what's happening.
Every family is different, and not every child will struggle with these experiences. But sometimes, children need a little extra support in making sense of what they see, hear, and feel.
That might look like:
Worrying about a parent's safety. Feeling anxious when a parent is working, especially after hearing about difficult calls or incidents.
Navigating unpredictable schedules. Managing disappointment, frustration, or uncertainty when plans change or a parent can't be there.
Big feelings that are hard to explain. Becoming more irritable, withdrawing from family, or having emotional outbursts without knowing exactly why.
Feeling different from their peers. Struggling to explain why their family routines, responsibilities, or experiences don't always look like those of their friends.
Changes in family dynamics. Adjusting to shift work, a parent's exhaustion, or changes in family responsibilities.
Keeping worries to themselves. Not wanting to add to a parent's stress or feeling that they should be able to handle things independently.
Stress at school or with friends. Finding it harder to concentrate, manage anxiety, or maintain relationships when things feel unsettled at home.
Sometimes these challenges are obvious. Other times, a child seems to be doing just fine on the surface while quietly trying to figure things out.
They don't need to have the right words for what they're experiencing before they can benefit from support.
Therapy for children, teens, and young adults in first responder families
At Dawn, we work with young people who are navigating the everyday challenges of growing up, as well as the experiences that can make those years a little more complicated.
We welcome children, adolescents, and young adults from families connected to professions such as:
Police services
Paramedic services
Fire services
Emergency medical services
Other first responder and emergency response roles
We understand that first responder family life can look different depending on the role, schedule, and circumstances of each household.
Our goal isn't to make assumptions about your family or suggest that every child of a first responder will experience the same difficulties.
It's to give your child a space where they can talk openly, explore what's going on for them, and develop strategies that make sense for their life.
What can therapy help with?
We can support young people who are experiencing:
Anxiety and excessive worry
Stress related to a parent's work
Emotional outbursts, anger, or irritability
Difficulty identifying or expressing emotions
Withdrawal or feeling disconnected
School-related stress and difficulty concentrating
Changes in friendships or family relationships
Low confidence or self-esteem
Difficulty adjusting to changes in family routines
Feeling overwhelmed by expectations or responsibilities
Therapy can also be helpful for young people who don't have one specific concern but would benefit from having a consistent, supportive person to talk to.
Let’s Talk
Not sure where to begin? That’s okay. We’ll help you take the first step.
We know reaching out can feel like a big step. Use the form below to ask a question, book a free consult, or just say hi. We’ll get back to you within 2 business days.
We offer evenings and weekends!
Tuesday 1–7 p.m
Wednesday 1–7 p.m
Thursday 12:45–7 p.m
Friday 11 a.m.–5 p.m
Saturday 11 a.m.–5 p.m
(289) 943-7095
Port Perry Office: 22250 Island Rd, Port Perry ON L9L 1B6
Aazhaway (Oshawa) Office: 41 Warren Ave, Oshawa ON L1J 4G1