Hannah Bailey, founder of Blue Light Wellbeing, joins the Forensic Focus Podcast to share her powerful journey from frontline policing to becoming a psychotherapist, trauma therapist, and well-being coach. Drawing on 15 years in the police — including CID and major crime — Hannah brings unique cultural credibility to her work supporting digital forensics professionals, first responders, and other high-risk roles.
She talks openly about living with PTSD and burnout, facing two breast cancer diagnoses, and how those experiences inspired her to focus on proactive mental health support. Hannah and Paul discuss why cultural awareness in therapy matters, how approaches like psychoeducation and regular supervision can help, and why therapy isn't just for people who are "broken."
Hannah also explains BrainWorking Recursive Therapy (BWRT), a modern trauma therapy that transformed her own recovery, and shares practical advice for those in digital forensics and other trauma-facing roles on spotting early signs of stress and building long-term resilience.
#DigitalForensics #DFIR #MentalHealth #WellBeing #PTSD
00:00 Introduction
02:44 Hannah Bailey's Background and Career
04:08 The Onset of Mental Health Challenges
06:01 Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Its Impact
06:37 Returning to Policing and Further Challenges
09:44 Lack of Support
12:14 Proactive Mental Health Approaches
17:18 Hannah's Work with DFIs and Other Forces
20:22 The Importance of Early Intervention
26:28 The Value of Therapy in Organizations
27:35 The Importance of Culturally Aware Therapists
29:29 Introduction to Brain Work Recursive Therapy (BWRT)
33:52 Combining Trauma Therapy and Wellbeing Coaching
34:32 The Therapeutic Process and Its Benefits
36:21 Supervision and Support in Therapy
36:57 Proactive Approaches in Digital Forensics
39:11 Building Trust and Non-Judgmental Spaces
43:30 Final Thoughts
🎥 Video/Transcript - https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/well-being-in-digital-forensics-and-policing-insights-from-hannah-bailey/
📝 Show Notes Blue Light Wellbeing - https://www.bluelightwellbeing.uk
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