In this episode, we sit down with Carly Ring, a former paramedic who is now a Registered Psychotherapist based in Ottawa. Carly shares her inspiring journey from hospitality to paramedicine, and now into psychotherapy, where she helps clients navigate trauma, PTSD, operational stress injuries (OSI), depression, and the unique challenges faced by first responders.
Carly speaks with honesty and authenticity about the struggles of frontline work, the resilience required to overcome adversity, and the importance of mental health support in high-stress careers.
00:00 – Introduction and welcoming Carly Ring
00:12 – Carly’s background and move to Ottawa
00:57 – Transition into becoming a paramedic
02:28 – Working alongside her brother in uniform
03:43 – Challenges, setbacks, and achievements in paramedicine
04:46 – Rookie paramedic lessons and finding her identity
06:27 – Reflecting on career values and stress in frontline work
08:01 – Pursuing a master’s degree and starting psychotherapy practice
12:28 – Accumulation of trauma and pivotal experiences
16:50 – Setting personal boundaries in paramedic work
18:17 – Communicating with loved ones and therapy insights
18:37 – Educating families and support systems for first responders
21:05 – Physiological vs psychological stress responses
24:53 – Building trust and connection among colleagues
29:59 – The role of empathy and emotional expression
31:24 – Balancing work, family, and personal life
32:11 – Fitness, exercise, and routine in mental health recovery
Carly Ring is a Registered Psychotherapist in Ottawa, Ontario. With a background in hospitality and paramedicine, she now helps first responders and healthcare professionals process trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and OSIs. Carly is the founder of CSR Psychotherapy and also practices at the Thrive Psychology and Wellness Centre.
Learn more about Carly:
Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/carly-ring-ottawa-on/1306195
Website: https://csrpsychotherapy.ca/
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