RAPID CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT & FIRST WATCH WELLNESS

"You Are Never Alone" -A Personal Story of Survival, Courage and Vulnerability- Officer Jared Nesary, Yakima PD (Ret.) -Jared will share his personal battle with PTSD, and what healing looks like after residential treatment. His courage to ask for help, which in his words saved his life and career. “You are never alone” is a personal story of survival, courage and vulnerability and a great reminder to all that no matter how dark the darkness gets or how far you have fallen, you are never alone in this battle. Jared survived PTSD and won his life back.

• BIO- Jared is a United States Marine Corps Veteran with 22 years in law enforcement. Jared worked the majority of his patrol assignment on a swing or graveyard shift. Jared spent 9 years on SWAT, 10 years on Honor Guard, handled two Patrol K-9’s “Bruno” and “Yogi” (Da-Bear) was a Gang Officer, School Resource Officer, Peer Support Officer, and was the Department Training Officer, Lead Active Shooter/Rescue Task Force Instructor and the Lead De-Escalation Instructor for the Yakima Police Department when he retired in December 2020.

Matt Quackenbush

LCSW, TRAUMA SPECIALIST

Matt is a psychotherapist with nearly two decades of experience and over 20,000 hours of trauma-focused therapy. As Deer Hollow's Director of Education and Training, he travels nationally, educating audiences on trauma recovery. A Certified Mind-Body Bridging Therapist, Matt specializes in evidence-based modalities such as EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Psychodrama, and mindfulness practices. His Finding Strength Podcast and PhD research on trauma’s neurological impact reflect his dedication to advancing trauma-informed care. Widely recognized as an expert, Matt aims to transform mental health treatment with innovative approaches that offer hope and healing.

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