Andi Hamilton

• 17 years as a Special Agent with OSBI
• 25 years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• 30+ years working with violent and/or traumatized persons
• Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Trained
• Certified Peer Support Leader

I began my career in 1989 in California working with inpatient psychiatric patients, juvenile offenders, and abused minors. As an OU graduate student, I provided critical incident stress debriefings and group therapy for April 1995 Oklahoma City bombing survivors. Before working for the OSBI, I saw clients in private practice as a licensed therapist and also conducted forensic interviews and trainings for state, federal, and tribal investigative agencies. At the OSBI, I’ve worked on major crimes, ICAC, and child maltreatment cases, but am now assigned full-time to the Oklahoma First Responders Wellness Division.

As is typical for first responders, decades of working with violent and traumatized persons changed my outlook on the world and life. As a parent, the work made me cautious and more worried about my family’s safety. Memories of certain kids, cases, or images got stuck in my head. It felt normal to be stressed out, overwhelmed, and anxious. I gained weight, had sleep problems, and developed high blood pressure. It was only after I was assigned to the First Responder Wellness Division and talked to peers on this team that I realized it was okay to admit I needed help. I went to therapy and did Accelerated Resolution Therapy [similar to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing]. It feels weird when you are doing it, but it worked for me. I feel so much calmer, and the “stuck” kids, cases, and images feel resettled and quiet now.

The team is here for you, at no charge, so please contact us! Collectively, we’ve been where you’ve been and only want to support you on your path to a happier, healthier life.