Service Overview
Professional Counseling Services
Mission: To provide confidential, compassionate, and evidence-based clinical counseling for fire service members, professional staff, and their families. To promote resilience, emotional well-being, and psychological health through services that support personal growth, strength families, and enhance readiness for the demands of the fire service.
Employee Wellness Office: Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Health and Safety Division
The Employee Wellness Office provides confidential, professional counseling services to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel and their eligible family members. Professional counseling offers a safe, supportive, and confidential environment to address these challenges while promoting overall health and wellness.
Services Available
Professional counseling services are available for a wide range of personal, family, and work-related concerns, including:
- Stress management and resilience
- Anxiety and depression
- Trauma and critical incident recovery
- Post-traumatic stress
- Grief and loss
- Relationship and family concerns
- Marital counseling
- Parenting challenges
- Work-life balance
- Occupational stress and burnout
- Substance use concerns
- Anger management
- Life transitions
- Emotional wellness and personal growth
- Faith Based Counseling
Our Approach
Our licensed mental health professionals understand the unique culture and demands of the fire service because they have lived experiences within the fire service culture. These shared experience allows them to provide culturally competent care that recognizes the challenges, stressors, and realities of the profession. Counseling is individualized, evidence-based, and focused on helping members develop practical strategies to improve emotional health, strengthen relationships, and enhance overall quality of life. Seeking help is a proactive step toward maintaining personal wellness, resilience, and operational readiness.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the Employee Wellness Office. Counseling services are provided in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, professional ethical standards, and departmental policies governing confidentiality. Information shared during counseling sessions is protected except where disclosure is required by law or necessary to protect the safety of the individual or others.
Who May Access Services
Professional counseling services are available to:
- Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Employees
- Retired Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Employees
- Eligible family members
Scheduling an Appointment
Appointments may be scheduled by contacting the Employee Wellness Office directly. Services are provided in a confidential and supportive setting, with the goal of ensuring members and their families receive timely access to professional care.
Choosing your counselor:
The following are the counselors you may choose from as you fill out the form:
Fred O. De Frias
Lieutenant/ Peer Support Coordinator, LMHC
Jose Chavarria
MDFR Health & Crisis Counselor, LCSW
Alex Trinchet
Lieutenant/Lead Chaplain, LMHC