Lorraine Smith-MacDonald
Professor
Dr. Lorraine Smith-MacDonald is a co-chair and assistant professor in the Department of Psychotherapy and Spirituality at St. Stephen's College at the University of Alberta. Dr. Smith-MacDonald has spent the last 10 years researching the concept of moral injury in military, Veterans, first responders and their families. She is also interested in the intersection between spirituality and mental health. She works clinically as a counselling therapist specializing in moral injury.
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Dec. 10, 2025
Moral Injury in First Responders, Understanding the Hidden Wound With Dr. Lorraine Smith McDonald
In this honest and grounding conversation, host Arjuna George talks with researcher and therapist Dr. Lorraine Smith McDonald about moral injury—the subtle, hidden wound that erodes identity, meaning, and values in first responders. They unpack what moral injury really is, how it differs from Operational Stress Injury, why it shows up so often in public safety work, and how repeated internal conflict and unmet expectations chip away at one’s humanity over time. Dr. McDonald offers clarity around symptoms, the role of organizational trust, and practical pathways toward moral resilience, self-compassion, and reconnection to values beyond the job. This episode offers language, insight, and reflection for every firefighter and first responder seeking deeper understanding of their inner world and daily experience.
Guest: Lorraine Smith-MacDonald