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You’ve Put the Mission First—Now It’s Time to Focus on You!
As a service member or veteran, you've dedicated your life to putting the mission first and your own needs second. The sacrifices you've made, both seen and unseen, are immeasurable. You’ve faced unimaginable challenges—both in combat, while on the job, during deployments and in everyday life—yet you continue to push through for others. But now, it’s time to take a moment for yourself. Whether you're transitioning out of the military, dealing with trauma, or simply feeling the weight of everything you've endured, know that it’s okay to put yourself first now. Your healing matters. You’ve given so much, and now, you deserve peace.
The mental and emotional toll of military life often remains unseen, and many veterans and service members silently carry the weight of their experiences. If you resonate with any of the following, you are not alone—and there is support available.
Are you...
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Feeling disconnected from family and civilian life after returning home.
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Struggling with nightmares or flashbacks that bring you back to traumatic moments.
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Constantly feeling on alert, even in safe situations.
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Experiencing guilt over decisions made in the line of duty or losing fellow service members.
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Finding it difficult to open up about your emotions, especially feelings of vulnerability.
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Battling feelings of anger, irritability, or frustration with others, even when it doesn’t seem logical.
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Feeling lost or without purpose after leaving the military.
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Struggling to sleep, feeling restless, or waking up drenched in sweat.
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Questioning your own worth or feeling like you’re “not the same person” you used to be.
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Coping with physical injuries or chronic pain that serve as constant reminders of your service.
EMDR can help!
EMDR Therapy was created to help people process unresolved trauma. It is an 8 stage process in which I will help you build tolerance and management of your emotions, create feelings of safety in your body and mind, and assist you in reprocessing trauma or experiences that continue to impact you. This happens by using bilateral brain stimulation. Essentially, I will guide you to activate the right and left hemispheres of your brain by moving your eyes side to side, or tapping your shoulders with your hands first left then right. By activating both sides of the brain, we can use the brain’s natural healing ability to help you process an unresolved traumatic memory. When the memory is processed you are able to remember the experience but you no longer feel the intense negative emotions around it. Instead, you can be at peace.
Think of EMDR like a Train Ride. I’m in the seat next to you the entire time. This is a fully stocked train, so we have what we need along the way. We are in first class. Notice along the way if you are still in the train with me, or if you’re in the scenery that you are noticing outside the window. Notice if the scenery is coming closer or if the train window (barrier) is gone. There is an emergency chord along the top of the train car. You can pull this at any time to stop the train. Because we are in first class, you can even ask the conductor to slow the train down, go faster, or stop and take a break. If we are going through a tunnel, which may be scary and dark for a while, remember that there is always a light at the end. You may want to stop in the tunnel, or you may want to push to get through it. You get to decide.
Symptoms of Trauma and PTSD in
Military Members
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Flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, or nightmares that make you feel like you're reliving the trauma.
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Avoiding people, places, or situations that remind you of your military experience.
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Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from others.
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Hypervigilance—constantly scanning your environment, always on alert.
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Anger or irritability that feels difficult to control.
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Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
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Trouble sleeping or staying asleep, leading to exhaustion.
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Guilt or shame related to the trauma or decisions made in combat.
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Emotional outbursts, panic attacks, or overwhelming anxiety.
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Numbing and avoidance through alcohol or substances
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Suicidal Ideation or Self-Injury
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Homicidal Ideation and/Or thoughts about injuring others to protect yourself and loved ones
Suicidal Ideation: There Are Other Doorways
The weight of trauma, guilt, or feelings of hopelessness can feel overwhelming, and at times, it may seem like there's no way out of the pain. But no matter how dark it feels right now, there are other Doorways. Therapy can provide a lifeline—offering support, coping strategies, and a way to begin healing that feels manageable. You don’t have to face these thoughts alone, and there are people who care and want to help you find a way forward. You’ve survived so much already.
Your life is worth fighting for, and there is hope on the other side.
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Processing Traumatic Memories: Through therapies like EMDR, individuals can reprocess painful memories in a safe environment, reducing the emotional charge they hold.
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Identifying and Managing Triggers: Therapy helps pinpoint specific situations, people, or places that trigger symptoms and teaches strategies to manage or avoid these triggers.
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Reducing Hypervigilance: Techniques like mindfulness and grounding exercises can help reduce the feeling of being constantly “on guard.”
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Regulating Emotions: Therapy can help you manage overwhelming emotions like fear, anger, or sadness, and teach healthy ways to express and cope with these feelings.
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Challenging Negative Beliefs: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps challenge distorted beliefs about the trauma, such as guilt, shame, or feeling unsafe in the world.
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Rebuilding Trust: Therapy can work on re-establishing trust in oneself, others, and the world after trauma has damaged those foundations.
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Improving Relationships: PTSD can strain relationships, and therapy can help repair communication, rebuild intimacy, and foster connection with loved ones.
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Managing Flashbacks and Nightmares: Therapists teach grounding and relaxation techniques to cope with flashbacks and reduce the intensity of nightmares.
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Reconnecting with the Present: Somatic exercises and mindfulness practices help individuals with PTSD stay grounded in the present, rather than being pulled back into past traumatic experiences.
Things we can work on in therapy:
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Processing Combat Trauma: Address and process traumatic events from military service, such as combat experiences or the loss of fellow service members.
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Coping with Anxiety and Depression: Develop tools to manage anxiety, panic attacks, and feelings of depression that often accompany military experiences.
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Addressing Survivor’s Guilt: Work through feelings of guilt or shame related to surviving combat or difficult decisions made during service.
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Rebuilding Relationships: Repair and strengthen relationships with family and friends that may have been strained due to military life or trauma.
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Handling Anger and Irritability: Develop healthier ways to manage anger, frustration, or irritability, which can be common post-service.
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Transitioning to Civilian Life: Navigate the challenges of reintegrating into civilian life, finding purpose, and adjusting to a new routine after military service.
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Addressing Suicidal Thoughts: Learn strategies to cope with suicidal ideation, finding hope and relief through supportive interventions.
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Managing Chronic Pain or Injury: Address the emotional and psychological toll of living with physical injuries or chronic pain from service.
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Building Emotional Resilience: Develop emotional regulation skills, mindfulness techniques, and healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress and triggers.