Dr. Lea Sullivan, LLC
Fire Service Specific. Because one-size doesn’t fit all.
Mission Statement
My mission is to deliver culturally competent, evidence-based mental health support designed specifically for the fire service. I work with firefighters, executive leadership, chaplains, and fire families to build resilience, prevent burnout, and respond to the real challenges of the job. This is not generic “first responder” care—this is support that speaks the language, understands the lifestyle, and strengthens the firehouse from within. Support is tailored. Tactical. Firehouse fluent.
About LeA
Dr. Lea Sullivan is a nationally recognized fire service mental health expert, founder of The Resilience Academy, and retired volunteer first responder chaplain. With a Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychological Studies and dissertation research on firefighter attachment and resilience, she brings both academic insight and boots-on-the-ground experience to her work.
A former Director of Mental Wellness for a fire district, Dr. Sullivan developed the nation’s first attachment-based mental health program for firefighters. She trains peer support teams, chaplains, and fire families with a focus on resilience, cultural competence, and trauma-informed care. Through speaking, training, and agency consultation, she equips fire service professionals and their families with tools to protect their mental health—so they can keep showing up strong,
on the fire ground and at home.
What Sets US Apart
Not all first responder work is the same—and neither
is the toll it takes.
I’m Lea, and I specialize in the mental health needs of firefighters, fire service leaders, chaplains, and their families. My work is built for the unique pace, pressure, and culture of the firehouse. From peer support training and fire couple workshops to chaplain and critical incident response team education, everything I offer is rooted in cultural competence and real-world application.
This is not just “first responder” care—it is fire service care, and that distinction matters.
Whether you are building a peer support team, navigating the weight of the job, or trying to hold it together at home, you don’t have to do it alone.
Let’s build something strong—and sustainable—together.
TRAINING
Equip Your People. Strengthen Your Culture.
Looking to elevate your fire service agency’s approach to peer support, relationships, and mental wellness? Dr. Lea offers targeted, culturally competent trainings designed to meet the real needs of the firehouse—because mental health in this line of work cannot be one-size-fits-all.
Peer Support Teams
Build confident, credible peer supporters.
Dr. Lea trains fire service peer support teams to do the job well—through evidence-based tools, real-world scenarios, and a deep understanding of firehouse culture. Your team will learn how to:
- Establish trust and psychological safety
- Navigate boundaries and ethical gray zones
- Recognize early warning signs and act early
- Refer with confidence and clarity
- Build a sustainable peer support culture rooted in preventative resilience.
These trainings are 100% developed from the most current scientific research to equip firefighters with the tools and skills to support their crewmates—before, during, and after the call.
FIRE SERVICE COUPLES
Support those who support the firefighter.
Fire service life inevitably comes home. Dr. Lea offers couples-focused training that helps partners navigate the unique challenges of shift work, trauma exposure, and emotional disconnection. These sessions help:
- Strengthen communication and trust
- Address the impact of cumulative stress
- Create shared strategies for resilience and repair
- Foster mutual understanding between home and the firehouse
Couples workshops are tailored, interactive, and grounded in evidence-based attachment science applied to couples with one or both partners serving in the fire service.
CHAPLAIN & CRITICAL INCIDENT TEAMS
Integrate moral injury care with psychological insight.
Chaplains play a vital frontline role—but they often lack training in mental health strategies. Dr. Lea provides specialized instruction for chaplains and critical incident response teams who serve our fire service agencies. These training workshops cover:
- Boundaries of the role
- Moral injury and a trauma impact
- Effective listening and emotional containment
- Referral pathways and collaboration with peer support and executive leadership
- Supporting families through grief, loss, and critical incidents.
This training bridges the gap between caring for the spiritual component of a firefighter and mental health response—ensuring chaplains serve with both compassion and clarity.
why it works
core principles
Dr. Sullivan’s trainings are based on three core principles: cultural competence, evidence-based practice, and preventative resilience. Every session is grounded in current science and tailored for the demands of the fire service—so your crews walk away with tools that translate to the rig, the firehouse, and home.
cultural competence
Dr. Sullivan’s trainings are built on a deep understanding of the fire service culture, language, and lived experience. Because real impact starts with trust—and trust is earned when the tools, tone, and timing all match the world firefighters actually live in.
Lea draws from her firsthand experience as a:
- First responder therapist
- Retired first responder chaplain
- Former fire district Director of Mental Wellness
- Founder of The Resilience Academy
Science-Driven
These programs are grounded in the latest research and best practices in the field of mental health. Dr. Sullivan believes in the power of science to inform effective strategies for managing mental health challenges. From understanding the impact of trauma on the brain to the role of peer support and chaplains in mental health, these services are designed to provide the fire service family with evidence-based tools and techniques.
preventative resilience
At the heart of this approach is the concept of resilience—because posttraumatic stress is preventable. Dr. Sullivan believes that with the right tools and support, firefighters can not only manage the mental health challenges they face but also thrive in their roles. These innovative programs teach strategies for building preventative resilience, managing stress, and maintaining mental well-being, empowering firefighters to protect their mental health as fiercely as they protect others.
resources
Free Starter Bundle
newsletter
published books
featured articles
**New Release**
Cover My Six: A Comprehensive Guide to Firefighter Care
Whether you’re a firefighter or someone supporting those who hold the red line, Cover My Six is your go-to resource for practical strategies, mental health support, and resilience-building techniques. Written by Dr. Lea Sullivan, this book offers evidence-based guidance tailored to the unique challenges of the firefighting profession.
In Cover My Six, you’ll discover:
✅ Proven strategies to manage stress and prevent burnout
✅ Tools for improving mental and emotional resilience
✅ Insights on building a support system, both at work and at home
✅ And much more to help you navigate the demands of the job with strength and clarity.
This book is more than just information—it’s a roadmap to help you thrive in a career that demands the best of you every day. Cover My Six is here to support you, because when you take care of yourself, you’re better able to take care of others. Tailored. Tactical. Firehouse fluent.
Order your copy today and start your journey to stronger mental health, preventative resilience, and lasting well-being.
what people are saying
“This training was incredible! Learning about the impact of trauma and how first responders build resilience was invaluable to me. I’m taking every bit back to my peer support team.”
– Russ S.
Capt. 21 years
“Immensely powerful and valuable training!“
– Amie K.
FF/Engineer
“After taking this workshop, I feel better equipped to support my peers through crisis and traumatic experiences.”
– Rob P.
FF/PM 12 years
“Lea’s vision of the Firefighter as a whole person, including their social, physical, mental and spiritual well-being, coupled with the importance of the firefighter’s home life relationships, brings a much deeper understanding to the total needs of the firefighter versus the sole focus on a PTS injury or issue that may arise. Every first responder family needs this life saving clarity!“
—Mark and Kellene C.
Fire family of 32 years
“Dr. Lea addresses trauma and resilience in a new way. Her compassion and easy-to-learn approach helps me believe in myself and have hope for our department!“
– Kurtis A.
FF/PM & Peer Supporter
“Lea really gets us as
first responders!“
– Jess F.
Career AC
23 years
“Dr. Lea gets what it means to be a firefighter—the grit, the sacrifice, and the weight we carry. Every firefighter needs Cover My Six!“
– Ryan L.
Career FF/EMT
Contact us
Dr. Lea is here to help and would love to hear from you. Whether you’re a firefighter seeking support, an agency interested in our training programs, or just have a question about her services, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is ready to provide the information and assistance you need. Please note that while we strive to respond to all inquiries as quickly as possible, response times may vary. We appreciate your patience and look forward to connecting with you soon.
Email: lea@drleasullivan.com
Phone: (253) 363-0337
Business Hours: 8am–5pm Mon-Fri
