Beyond the Uniform with The LT's Daughter

What Every Officer (and their loved ones) Should Know About Trauma & Brain Health with Stephanie Samuels

Katherine Boyle

In this episode, I talk with Stephanie Samuels M.A., M.S.W., L.C.S.W., founder of Copline, a 24/7 confidential peer support hotline for law enforcement officers and their families. Stephanie is a licensed psychotherapist who has worked exclusively with officers for decades and is a national voice in first responder wellness.

We dive into the creation of Copline, why peer support matters so deeply in this profession, and the realities officers face when it comes to stress, trauma, and asking for help. Stephanie shares about her current work around Head Impact & Trauma (HIT) and Blast Overpressure (BOP), including a new self-assessment tool designed to help first responders better understand potential neurological impacts from the job.

We cover:

• Why Stephanie founded Copline and the gap it fills in law enforcement wellness
• How Copline’s peer-to-peer model builds trust and saves lives
• The long-term effects of cumulative trauma in first responders
• What HIT & BOP are and why they matter
• How the self-assessment tool can support early awareness and care

Connect with Stephanie & Copline or take the Assessment below:

🌐 Website: www.copline.org
🧠 HIT & BOP Self-Assessment

Connect with Me

🌐 Website: www.beyondtheuniform.co
📸 Instagram: @theltsdaughter
📧 Email: theltsdaughter@gmail.com

Support the show

Get the Law Enforcement Family Connection Workbook HERE