Dr. Heather Kersten obtained her Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology from the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology and completed her residency at the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Growing up the daughter of a Milwaukee police officer heavily influenced her decision to specialize with first responders. She began by establishing a contract with the Milwaukee Police Department in October 2016. Due to the overwhelming utilization of her services, she collaborated with Emily to develop First Responders Psychological Services, LLC. Prior to obtaining her doctorate, Heather worked in the emergency room for 10 years at Waukesha Memorial Hospital, where she provided crisis and trauma intervention in collaboration with local police and fire. Heather is married to Tim, a retired Captain from the West Allis Fire Department, and has one son, Easton.

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Dr. Emily Jirikowic obtained her Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology from the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology. She completed her residency with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections at different locations emphasizing trauma treatment. Being the spouse of a police officer, Emily chose to focus her career on law enforcement and providing services to first responder families. After starting her work with the Milwaukee Police Department in 2017, Emily worked with Heather to develop First Responders Psychological Services, LLC to provide mental health care to first responders and their families. Emily is married to Ben, a City of Waukesha Police Officer, and has one son, Henry and one daughter, Evelyn.

*Both Emily & Heather are Brainspotting Practitioners

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Dr. Morgan A Carter obtained her doctorate in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Forensic Psychology, from the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Forensic Science, with a Minor in Psychology, and Master’s Degrees in Forensic Psychology. Morgan did her internship for her bachelor’s degree with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, working on the Domestic Security Task Force, the Violent Crimes Unit, and the Economic Crimes Unit. She also worked as a 911 Dispatcher for Anoka County, MN and as a Death Investigator for Burnett County, WI. It was her experience in and with law enforcement that drove her to focus her psychological education and career on law enforcement and working with first responders and their families. Morgan has a certificate in training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and is also trained in Single Session Therapy.

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Ramona is a California native who relocated to Pewaukee, WI in 2016 with her husband and their children. She was raised by a patrol officer and Sergeant with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in California. At the age of 13, Ramona’s father was shot in the line of duty. Although her father survived the shooting, he was sentenced to a life in a wheelchair as he was paralyzed from the chest down. Ramona, her siblings, and her parents were faced with daunting challenges resulting from her father’s paralysis, that tested their fortitude and their faith. Ramona believes that these painful experiences strengthened her character, bolstered her determination, and taught her patience, perseverance, and a positive attitude. Ramona and her brothers all became O.C. Sheriff’s Deputies to honour their father. Ramona married her academy sweetheart, Joel, and is still married after 33 years. She proudly served the Sheriff’s Department for 13 years, gaining varied experience from Corrections, Classification, Sensitive Crimes/Training Division, Patrol, and as a Community Resource Officer. She retired to raise children and her husband continued his dedication to Law Enforcement for a total of 28 years. Ramona went on to finish her BS in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in the Law and Legal Process, and is currently working on her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Cardinal Stritch University. It is Ramona’s love for law enforcement, her background and experience, as well as her ongoing Clinical Psychology training that motivates her desire to be instrumental in assisting officers as they attempt to balance the ongoing physical, emotional, and psychological challenges faced throughout their career.

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Erin obtained her Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, completed her clinical hours at the Milwaukee County Criminal Justice Facility and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the State of Wisconsin. Erin has been a practicing Social Worker since 2003 with many populations of people focusing on healthcare, housing and homelessness prior to becoming a Master’s level Clinician in 2014. Since becoming an LCSW, Erin's focus has been on mental health within the community and correctional settings, most recently as a Clinician on the Crisis Assessment Response Team, a collaboration between Law Enforcement and Mental Health with the Milwaukee Police Department and West Allis Police Department. Being a spouse of a police officer and working with police officers with the Crisis Assessment Response Team, Erin recognizes the nuances and importance of mental wellness with and for law enforcement and joined First Responders Psychological Services as a Psychotherapist to provide first responders and their families support through evidence based therapeutic models. Erin is married to James, a city of Milwaukee Police Officer and has one Daughter, Poppy and one Step-Son, Zachary.

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Char Love is a Milwaukee native born and raised. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice at Concordia University-Mequon. Like many with criminal justice degrees, she had an interest in law enforcement, but was unsure which direction to proceed. She ultimately landed in the field of corrections. Char worked as a Correctional Officer and Deputy Sheriff Jailer for multiple departments for a total of 14 years before returning to school to complete her Master’s Degree in Counseling.  After completing her Master’s Degree at Lakeland University-Milwaukee, Char began working as a Mental Health Provider for Ozaukee County Sheriff Department in the jail division. While in her role, her areas of focus were clients with anxiety, depression, substance use and co-occurring disorders. She specialized in Crisis Intervention as well as Suicide Risk Assessments and educating staff on these techniques. Char was also a member of the peer support and CISD teams during her time at Ozaukee County. She is excited to work with first responders assisting in coping with some of the challenges that she experienced firsthand throughout her career in law enforcement.

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Ashlee has worked in mental health for over seven years at various settings and treatment levels, such as schools, out-patient, in-patient, and residential.  She works with clients from all ages, as well as with couples and families. Her areas of focus are with clients having trouble with anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral concerns, substance abuse concerns, and more. She is knowledgeable and certified on an array of interventions, including EMDR, ensuring treatment meets the client where they are at. Ashlee has dedicated her career to giving back to our first responders. Growing up in a first responder family, Ashlee quickly recognized the need to aid our first responders through the everyday tragedies they see. Ashlee specializes in therapy for first responders and hopes to continue paving the way for programs and education in first responder mental health and well-being. Ashlee earned a Master of Social Work degree from Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois and continues to work on her education as she pursues her Doctorate of Social Work from George Williams College of Aurora University in Williams Bay, Wisconsin.​​

Payal worked in the higher education field for 13 years, working with at-risk populations and first year students before transitioning into the mental health services world. She grew up in a war-torn country and has experienced the effects of constant stress and trauma firsthand. She earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Masters in Higher Education Student Affairs. After working in that field, she went back to school to pursue her original passion and earned a Masters in Clinical Psychology. She has experience working with clients getting treatment for substance use in a residential setting as well as refugees, who have gone through stressful and traumatic situations.

Payal is excited to work with First Responders because while they are helping others, she would like to help them and their families. 

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Gensyn is a Wisconsin native, born and raised in the Fox Valley area. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in criminal justice from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She later relocated to Phoenix, Arizona to earn her master’s degree in counseling, but her passion to work with this population extends beyond academia—it’s personal. Growing up in a three-generation firefighter family, Gensyn observed how mental health often took a back seat. The prevailing belief was that first responders should “deal with it themselves” and so they did what they could.

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This experience ignited her mission to bridge the gap between mental health and emergency services.

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Gensyn’s expertise lies in anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, SMI, and crisis management. As a trained practitioner in Prolonged Exposure Therapy, she is excited to work with first responders, assisting them in coping with the challenges and stressors they experience both on and off the job.

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Mark received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Cultural Art from Sam Houston State University in the great state of Texas. He received his Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, Illinois and has been an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America since 1997.  Mark currently attends the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and is obtaining his Master’s in Educational Psychology and Counseling. 

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Mark has worked extensively with the psychological needs of couples and individuals for the past 26 years. Mark has been a Firefighter/EMT with the Norway Fire department since 2011. He has been a Fire Chaplain for the fire departments in Racine County and has worked extensively with the sheriff’s department since 2011. His heart has always been with first responders and the unique challenges they face. His passion has always been helping his brothers and sisters, who are first responders, deal with the trauma and stress that comes with taking care of the communities they are called to serve.  Mark looks forward to continuing to help first responders as he transitions into his new role as a therapist.

Leah is a doctoral-level student at the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology and was born and raised in the suburbs of Milwaukee, WI.  Leah attended Marquette University for her undergraduate degrees in which she double majored in Criminology & Law Studies and Psychology.  After graduating from Marquette University, Leah moved to Arlington, VA where she earned her Master’s Degree in Forensic and Legal Psychology from Marymount University.  While obtaining her Master’s Degree, Leah gained specialized knowledge working with law enforcement officers and other first responders, which inspired her to continue her education and pursue a career as a Clinical Forensic Psychologist.  Leah has had multiple personal relationships with police officers and other first responders in her life, and after being accepted to WSPP, she moved back home with the intention and motivation to serve the community and individuals with whom she grew up.  Her dissertation involves conducting research surrounding law enforcement officers and how their culture plays a role in their mental health.  Leah hopes to continue to work with first responders throughout the greater Milwaukee area while still in training, as well as after she graduates and becomes a licensed psychologist.  

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Hannah currently attends the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology and is obtaining her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.  She obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse while minoring in Criminal Justice.

After graduating from La Crosse, Hannah moved back to the Milwaukee area where she continued her education. Hannah’s interest in working with law enforcement stems from her personal experiences and relationships with officers.  Not only is her fiancé a police officer, but she has numerous friends in first responder professions.  Hannah’s interest in helping first responders extends to her dissertation where she is evaluating the effect police work has on officers’ mental and emotional health.  After graduation, Hannah would love to continue working with first responders within the Milwaukee area.

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George graduated from Marquette University with degrees in Criminal Justice and Theology and then began a career in law enforcement as a Special Deputy for the Waukesha County Sheriff Department. He then served as a police officer for the Village of Menomonee Falls and then the City of Milwaukee. As an ordained minister, George is active in the Men’s Ministry and Chaplaincy Program at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield.

In addition to serving as Chaplain for the Milwaukee Police Department, George serves as Chaplain for the Wisconsin DOJ, the Wisconsin State Patrol and the United States Secret Service. He also serves on the Executive Board of Milwaukee’s “Police Officer Support Team” and the Wisconsin chapter of “Concerns of Police Survivors.” George is a certified instructor with the International Conference of Police Chaplains. George is married to Karen and has three grown children and four grandchildren.​​​​​​

Karen is the FRPS Peer Coordinator.  She worked for 26 years as a Milwaukee County Deputy Sheriff, spending the last decade of her career as an EOD K-9 handler.  After retirement she joined the FRPS team with the goal of assisting those First Responders who are still serving their communities.  As a Peer Coordinator she is available to answer any questions about the services offered by FRPS, assist in scheduling appointments or training, or simply help arrange a "meet and greet" at any department to allow members to meet and get to know our staff.  ​​​​​​​​​​

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As the Director of Administration since 2020, Sue oversees the organizational aspects of the practice.  She assists the team in all scheduling, billing, and administrative tasks. Sue is married with two grown children and two grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys making memories with her grandchildren. 

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Sue is happy to answer any questions she can, or to connect you with any member(s) of the FRPS team.

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