Acute Stress Adaptive Protocol (ASAP)

Helping veterinary professionals navigate burnout, grief, moral distress and injury, compassion fatigue, cumulative stress, and trauma.

ASAP programs are designed for professionals whose work regularly involves emotionally intense situations, high responsibility, and repeated exposure to stress. In veterinary medicine, this can include critical cases, unexpected outcomes, euthanasia-related distress, ethical dilemmas, client conflict, and the cumulative emotional impact of caring deeply for patients who cannot advocate for themselves.

Veterinary professionals are often exposed to these stressors repeatedly - sometimes directly, sometimes through witnessing the distress of clients, colleagues, and animals in their care. Over time, this ongoing exposure can affect nervous system regulation, emotional wellbeing, and relationships outside of work, even for highly skilled and resilient clinicians.

The ASAP protocol was developed in response to this reality. It offers a structured, repeatable approach to supporting mental and emotional resilience in professions where stress exposure is ongoing rather than occasional. The goal is not to eliminate stress or pathologize normal reactions, but to provide timely, practical support that helps veterinary professionals remain grounded, supported, and able to continue their work with intention and care.

  • The Acute Stress Adaptive Protocol (ASAP) is a structured support model informed by principles of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a well-established, evidence-based psychotherapy approach for reducing distress related to overwhelming experiences.

    ASAP was developed as an early intervention for acute stress, with the goal of reducing the intensity and accumulation of post-traumatic stress reactions when support is offered close in time to stressful events.

    While informed by clinical models, ASAP is designed to be:

    • Brief and structured

    • Practical and skills-based

    • Appropriate for high-demand, fast-paced professions

    Research indicates that ASAP can reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms by up to 44%. The protocol can be delivered in both individual and group settings.

  • ASAP may be particularly supportive following:

    • Critical or traumatic clinical cases

    • Euthanasia-related distress

    • Medical complications or unexpected outcomes

    • Client conflict or ethical stress

    • Repeated exposure to emotionally intense situations

    • Periods of cumulative stress or burnout

    Trauma can be processed immediately following the event, or decades after the event.

    Much like preventive healthcare, ASAP can also be beneficial before significant symptoms develop. Participating early, whether to build stress-management skills or to process “low-grade” but cumulative stressors, can support ongoing resilience.

    ASAP is not intended to replace ongoing mental health care, but rather to offer timely, structured support during or after high-stress periods.

  • An ASAP session lasts approximately 45–60 minutes. The session begins with a brief overview of the process, followed by three practical stress-management exercises. After a short break, participants engage in three rounds of adaptive processing. The session concludes with a grounding activity to support emotional regulation and address any lingering stress.

    ASAP sessions are:

    • Structured and time-limited

    • Focused on internal experience rather than verbal processing

    • Designed to support nervous system regulation and adaptive processing

    • Offered in a way that respects privacy and emotional boundaries

    Participants are not required to share details of stressful events. The process emphasizes internal awareness, resourcing, and gentle stabilization rather than discussion or analysis.

    Most participants report significant relief from the stressful experience by the end of the session, and additional support is available if needed.

  • Yes. ASAP is designed with confidentiality in mind.

    • Participants are not asked to describe or disclose specific events

    • Group agreements emphasize privacy and respect

    • The structure minimizes the need for personal disclosure

    Specific confidentiality practices may vary depending on the setting (e.g., clinic-based sessions vs. individual support), and these details are reviewed prior to participation.

What are my options?

  • These ongoing group sessions are open to all members of the veterinary team, including veterinarians, technicians, assistants, client care staff, practice managers, and support staff.

    Monthly ASAP groups are designed to support nervous system regulation, stress recovery, and emotional resilience in the context of veterinary work. Sessions focus on resourcing and stabilization and do not require sharing personal details or specific cases. Participants are welcome to attend as often as feels helpful.

    • Ongoing Staff Support
      Clinics and hospitals may offer ASAP sessions on a regular basis (monthly or quarterly) as a proactive approach to staff wellbeing, retention, and burnout prevention.

    • Critical Incident Support
      ASAP can be offered following particularly difficult cases, losses, or periods of cumulative stress to help teams regulate and recover after high-impact events.

  • Available for individuals, clinics, and hospitals seeking accessible support.

  • Available for clinics and hospitals within close geographic proximity, depending on scheduling and capacity.

  • Veterinary professionals who are interested in serving on the ASAP Emotional Support Team may have the opportunity to assist with group sessions in a peer support role. This role focuses on presence, grounding, and support during sessions rather than facilitation. Training, guidance, and clear role boundaries are provided.

  • “Trauma changes you. Healing is about creating a new version of yourself, the one that is stronger, wiser, and more compassionate.”

    – Michele Rosenthal

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime.

Let's connect!

  • No. ASAP is not psychotherapy and does not replace therapy.

    ASAP is a structured, clinician-facilitated peer support intervention designed to help veterinary professionals regulate stress and reduce the cumulative impact of repeated exposure to difficult experiences.

    Sessions focus on nervous system regulation and stabilization rather than diagnosis, treatment, or in-depth emotional processing. Participants are not asked to share personal histories or detailed experiences.

    ASAP is facilitated by a licensed clinician using a structured protocol, but participation does not establish a therapist–client relationship.

  • Some participants may discover that they would benefit from additional, individualized support. Individual therapy is available separately for those who want or need it, and referrals can be provided. Participation in ASAP does not require enrolling in therapy.

  • Email is often the easiest way to get in touch.

    nikki@throughthewoodstogether.com