Advancing Trauma-Informed Support for First Responders: Operational Resiliency Protocol Poster Presentation Accepted for EMDR Canada Conference 2026
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- Apr 21
- 3 min read
Healing Connections Psychotherapy is proud to share an exciting milestone for our clinic and community. Miranda Arellano, RP, founder of Healing Connections, has been invited to present a poster at the EMDR Canada 2026 Conference featuring the Operational Resiliency Protocol (ORP).
The Operational Resiliency Protocol is a trauma-informed, EMDR-informed framework developed to support first responders and frontline professionals who are regularly exposed to operational stress and critical incidents.
Addressing a Gap in Early Trauma Support
In working closely with emergency personnel, it became clear that many professionals are repeatedly exposed to distressing events long before symptoms meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD or other trauma-related conditions. Yet structured interventions designed to support early processing and stabilization after operational stress exposure remain limited.
The Operational Resiliency Protocol (ORP) was developed to help address this gap.
Rather than waiting until symptoms become severe, ORP focuses on early intervention, helping individuals regulate their nervous system, process difficult experiences, and maintain psychological resilience in the face of repeated exposure to high-stress events.
Grounded in principles from EMDR therapy and the Adaptive Information Processing model, the protocol emphasizes practical tools that can be applied soon after difficult operational experiences.
What the Operational Resiliency Protocol Includes
The protocol integrates several key elements designed to support emotional regulation and adaptive processing:
EMDR-informed stabilization and dual-attention strategies
Structured grounding and nervous system regulation tools
Guided processing of operational stress experiences
Practical techniques that can be used in real-world, high-stress professional environments
The goal is to provide accessible, structured strategies that support resilience and help prevent operational stress from accumulating into deeper trauma injuries.
Early Training and Feedback
The Operational Resiliency Protocol has already been introduced through training sessions with Canadian fire service members. Feedback from these trainings highlighted several important findings:
87.5% of participants reported they had never received trauma-focused resiliency training prior to the session
75% had never heard of a structured protocol specifically designed to process operational stress exposure
Participants reported increased understanding of how trauma affects the nervous system
Many firefighters noted increased confidence in recognizing and managing operational stress reactions
Participants shared that the structured approach helped normalize their responses to difficult calls and provided tools they could immediately apply both professionally and personally
These early insights reinforce the need for practical, trauma-informed frameworks designed specifically for high-risk professions.
Recognition at the EMDR Canada Conference
Being invited to present the Operational Resiliency Protocol at the 2026 EMDR Canada Conference represents an important opportunity to contribute to broader conversations about trauma prevention, early intervention, and resilience among frontline professionals.
The conference brings together clinicians, researchers, and educators from across Canada who are advancing the science and practice of EMDR therapy and trauma treatment.
Moving the Conversation Forward
Healing Connections Psychotherapy remains committed to supporting innovative, trauma-informed approaches that strengthen both individuals and communities.
The development of the Operational Resiliency Protocol has been shaped by the feedback, trust, and collaboration of the first responders who participated in early trainings. Their insights continue to guide the ongoing development of this work.
As clinicians and researchers continue to explore ways to better support those who regularly face critical incidents, collaboration across disciplines will be essential.
We look forward to sharing more about the Operational Resiliency Protocol at the EMDR Canada Conference and continuing to refine this work in partnership with the communities it was designed to serve.
—Healing Connections Psychotherapy
Supporting trauma recovery, resilience, and community wellbeing.
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