(from left) HFD staff psychologist Jana Tran, Counseling Psychology interns Colleen Martin and Kelsee Tucker, and clinical director of the HFD CISM Team, Sam J. Buser.

Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology students Colleen Martin and Kelsee Tucker were presented with an Outstanding Service Award from the Houston Fire Department (HFD).  The presentation took place before the Command Staff, Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team, Public Information Office, and other HFD staff.  Both students are serving a practicum requirement through the Counseling Psychology program.  

Martin’s role is to provide individual and couples therapy services for firefighters and their family members. Additionally, she assists in responding to crises (e.g., bad calls, line of duty deaths) as a member of the CISM team. Part of her work involved conducting research on the HFD research team, led by Counseling Psychology Alumna and HFD staff psychologist Jana Tran. “As a primary aim of my research at HFD, I examine predictors of suicide risk in the department and seek to provide recommendations as to how to best address suicidality in HFD's members,” said Martin. 

“It means a great deal to have received an Outstanding Service Award from the Houston Fire Department (HFD),” said Martin. “The men and women in the fire service of HFD are dedicated to serving others, so it is an honor to be recognized by this community. The staff psychologists at HFD, Dr. Sam Buser and Dr. Jana Tran, work endlessly to provide outstanding mental health care for firefighters, and I am lucky to have been a part of such an amazing team.” 

Tucker’s role as an intern is to provide firefighters and their families with mental health services including individual, couples, and family therapy, as well as respond to crisis situations such as suicidality and line of duty deaths. As part of the psychological services team Tucker also assists with implementing outreach programs and conducting research to further enhance understanding of HPS’s unique population.

Tucker explained that HFD is one of very few departments in the nation utilizing staff psychologists for their employees at this time. She believes many doors will open for psychology to become more regularly incorporated into the work of first responders.  “I am honored to receive the Outstanding Service Award from the Houston Fire Department,” said Tucker. “To me, this award represents the positive impact psychological services can have on first responders, a currently underserved and high need population.”

Martin told us that Department of Psychological, Health & Learning Sciences (PHLS) visiting professor, Susan X Day inspires her the most in the college. “She has been a strong source of support for me as I have progressed through our program and has always encouraged me to strive for a healthy work-life balance,” said Martin. “One of Dr. Day's most inspiring qualities is her openness to new projects and research which demonstrates how much she truly enjoys learning. I hope to have the same curiosity in my future career!”

Tucker feels that the University of Houston, College of Education (UH COE) has one of the strongest Counseling Psychology programs in the nation. Working with Tran and Buser on the psychological services team has expanded her knowledge and experience in the field, strengthened her clinical work, and provided her with unique experiences and opportunities that other training programs do not provide. “For part of my practicum I have been supervised by Dr. Jana Tran, HFD staff psychologist and previous graduate from the University of Houston Counseling Psychology Program,” she said. “Dr. Tran's expertise in trauma among first responders and veterans is invaluable.”

 “I truly enjoyed working with these competent, motivated women, and I can confidently say that they have made a significant impact on the firefighters they worked with as well as the department as whole,” said Tran.

“The Houston Fire Department and its personnel continue to benefit from our partnership with the University of Houston,” said clinical director of the HFD CISM Team, Sam J. Buser.  “These two exceptional students quickly became valued members of our department.”