Speaker

Samuel Fuge

Samuel Fuge

Licensed Professional Counselor, Chief Operations Officer

Johnstown, Pennsylvania, United States

Actions

Samuel Fuge is a Licensed Professional Counselor, educator, and doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA. He provides counseling at Dr. Mary Berge and Associates in Johnstown, PA, where his clinical work includes trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. Trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), he specializes in working with first responders and other professionals in high-stress environments, combining lived field experience with evidence-based psychological care. His doctoral dissertation in progress examines the role of interpersonal relationships in mitigating burnout among paramedics.

Samuel is also an experienced educator with a strong background in both psychology and health sciences. At Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, he teaches courses that blend psychology with health-science perspectives, emphasizing critical thinking and real-world application. Prior to his counseling career, he was nationally certified as an EMS educator and taught extensively at the Conemaugh School of EMS under the direction of the late Dr. John Karduck, MD. His educational work included training paramedic students, designing integrated out-of-hospital scenarios, leading continuing education programs, and presenting to providers at the local, regional, and national levels.

Samuel’s educational journey reflects both breadth and depth. He began his career in emergency medical services at just 16 years old, completing EMT training at the Conemaugh School of EMS. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from West Virginia University in 2010, before returning to Conemaugh to complete paramedic training in 2011. His passion for mental health and education led him to pursue a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Messiah University, which he completed in 2021, and he is currently pursuing his PsyD in Counseling Psychology at Chatham University, with anticipated completion in 2028.

As a speaker, Samuel brings a rare dual perspective shaped by over 16 years in emergency medical services and years of clinical counseling practice. He has delivered engaging presentations across a wide range of topics—wellness, trauma, burnout, mental health treatment, resilience, and educational pedagogy—at both regional and national events, including the National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE) Conference. His style is research-informed yet accessible, drawing on professional expertise, teaching experience, and frontline credibility to connect with diverse audiences.

With a professional journey that bridges emergency medicine, education, and psychology, Samuel is passionate about building systems of care that promote resilience, reduce burnout, and improve well-being for both providers and the communities they serve. His work reflects a commitment to insight, empowerment, and the belief that growth happens at the intersection of education and lived experience.

Area of Expertise

  • Government, Social Sector & Education
  • Health & Medical
  • Humanities & Social Sciences
  • Law & Regulation

Topics

  • Mental Health
  • Psychology
  • EMS
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Grief and Loss
  • Death and Dying
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Personality
  • Trauma
  • EMDR
  • Mental Well Being

What Now?: Grief and Loss in EMS

EMS providers routinely encounter death, dying, and families in crisis—yet grief processing is rarely addressed in training or culture. This session explores the unique ways grief manifests in EMS professionals, from unresolved calls and patient deaths to cumulative exposure over a career. Participants will learn how unprocessed grief contributes to compassion fatigue and burnout, as well as practical strategies for meaning-making, coping, and supporting colleagues through loss.

The Silent Siren: Understanding Mental Health in EMS

EMS professionals are exposed to trauma, critical incidents, and chronic stress at rates higher than nearly any other workforce. Yet, mental health often remains a silent crisis in the industry. This session explores the psychological toll of EMS work—including burnout, PTSD, depression, and maladaptive coping—and how providers can identify warning signs in themselves and colleagues. Drawing from both lived experience as a paramedic and clinical expertise as a counselor, this session bridges practical field realities with evidence-based mental health strategies.

Split-Second Minds: The Psychology of High-Stakes Decision-Making in EMS

Every EMS provider knows the pressure of making life-or-death decisions in seconds, often with incomplete information. This session examines the psychology of decision-making under stress, integrating concepts from cognitive psychology, stress response, and EMS field dynamics. Attendees will gain insight into common cognitive biases and errors in prehospital care, while also learning tools to strengthen decision-making, improve patient safety, and reduce personal stress.

From Burnout to Balance: Building Resilience in the EMS Workforce

Burnout is more than fatigue—it’s a systemic and psychological phenomenon that undermines performance, safety, and retention in EMS. This session introduces innovative approaches to preventing and addressing burnout in the prehospital setting, drawing on counseling psychology, resilience research, and paramedic field culture. Attendees will leave with both personal tools for resilience and organizational strategies that leaders can implement to protect their workforce.

“I’m Fine”: Supporting a Partner in Crisis

EMS providers often notice when a partner is struggling long before formal support systems do. Yet many don’t feel equipped to respond in the right way. This session teaches practical skills for being an effective peer supporter—how to listen actively, validate emotions, and encourage help-seeking without overstepping. Through a mix of clinical insights and EMS field realities, attendees will learn how to break the culture of silence and be the coworker who makes a difference.

Samuel Fuge

Licensed Professional Counselor, Chief Operations Officer

Johnstown, Pennsylvania, United States

Actions

Please note that Sessionize is not responsible for the accuracy or validity of the data provided by speakers. If you suspect this profile to be fake or spam, please let us know.

Jump to top