Creating a Supportive, Trauma-Resilient Environment with Sarah Gaer, M.S.

Facing traumatic experiences can be overwhelming, but Psychological First Aid (PFA) provides crucial skills for organizations during their most difficult moments. Sarah W. Gaer presents a comprehensive PFA training program customized to suit your organization's needs, equipping you and your workforce to handle these critical situations with confidence and preparedness.

PFA is an internationally recognized, evidence-based approach that offers immediate emotional support to individuals affected by traumatic events—from personal crises to larger-scale situations like natural disasters and public health emergencies. PFA is based on a series of core principles, which include fostering a sense of safety, encouraging calm, nurturing self-efficacy, promoting connectedness, and instilling hope.

ABOUT SARAH GAER

Sarah is a highly experienced mental health professional with over 25 years in the field, specializing in trauma, addiction, and suicide prevention. She holds a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Antioch University. Sarah has served as a Suicide Prevention Specialist, training more than 1,000 persons in suicide prevention techniques and leading crisis response efforts in various crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters. She has been at the forefront of crisis response, leading teams in the aftermath of suicides, homicides, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks. 

As a consultant and trainer for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, she specializes in Law Enforcement mental health and suicide prevention. Additionally, Sarah is a National Trainer for Psychological First Aid. She is actively involved in the H.O.P.E. Certification program, a culture-changing initiative to promote evidence-based practices in mental health promotion and suicide prevention.