VA PTSD group

[foxcolt13]

I went to the VA PTSD group today and it was good. I think the friendship and seeing that I'm not alone was the best part. I'm happy with the way I feel about it. I recommend it.

[The Fat Guy]

Stepping out to get help and sharing your experience takes courage. I applaud your effort to heal and encourage others to do the same. Stay Strong!

[foxcolt13]

Originally Posted by The Fat Guy

Stepping out to get help and sharing your experience takes courage. I applaud your effort to heal and encourage others to do the same. Stay Strong!

Thanks, it was a positive experience, I plan to go back next week.

[Mars]

Keep us posted on the progress, Brother. I am sincerely interested.

[just11b]

Originally Posted by foxcolt13

I went to the VA PTSD group today and it was good. I think the friendship and seeing that I'm not alone was the best part. I'm happy with the way I feel about it. I recommend it.

Therapy works if you allow it some time. The only group therapy I attend, are AA/NA meetings. I too find it therapeutic. It is nice to find others that share similar screw ups in life.

However, I find one on one therapy to be best suited for what I need. I started seeing my therapist years ago when my wife asked me too, she said I was an asshole way too much of the time. Come to find out, she was right, I am an asshole, and the more therapy sessions I attend, the lesser of an asshole I am. Thats the truth. I hope you keep attending, and if you do, you will notice yourself starting to feel better. YMMV good luck

[just11b]

Originally Posted by The Fat Guy

Stepping out to get help and sharing your experience takes courage. I applaud your effort to heal and encourage others to do the same. Stay Strong!

This needs to be said more often than it is.

[CAP MARINE]

I went the Vet Center route, one on one.Too many IMO looking for free $.

[hawkdrver]

Originally Posted by foxcolt13

I went to the VA PTSD group today and it was good. I think the friendship and seeing that I'm not alone was the best part. I'm happy with the way I feel about it. I recommend it.

Good on you man. I read on the internet that making the decision to go talk to someone is the toughest part.

Good on you for advertising it on here too. Hopefully it will encourage others to do the same.

[Gsniper]

Did you go to your group in Salem? One of my good fishing buds is in the group that meets in Salem. PM me if you want his name.

[foxcolt13]

Originally Posted by Gsniper

Did you go to your group in Salem? One of my good fishing buds is in the group that meets in Salem. PM me if you want his name.

Danville CBOC

[foxcolt13]

I didn't make it to the Group yesterday, headache.

[Stretch]

Did you go today?

[foxcolt13]

its only on Thursdays

[foxcolt13]

There is a Marine vet who was at the Beruit Bombing in 83' in my group . I knew another Vet who was there in the late 80's from my area. I remember drinking with him once.

[Sakura no hana]

VA, in general, offers some truly good individual and group therapy work.

PTSD Symptoms Management is good baseline to begin with. Frames the diagnosis for you and gets you into the self-care lane.

CPT therapy for Trauma is DoD/VA standard platform. Some VA are offering EMDR which is a very comfortable and subtle therapy and highly recommended.

For the really intrusive, stubborn "stuff" VA offer In Vivo therapy. Usually eight weeks, once a week. Strongly recommend Symptoms Management and either CPT or EMDR before In Vivo. It is intense. Starting out with In Vivo can be too much and veer you off further self-care.

VA will diagnose and then link you up with a therapist. If the relationship does not "fit" - simply ask to be assigned to someone else. The therapist is your guide along the trail - you have to trust each other.

If you are post 9-11 you can enroll in Wounded Warrior Project. Diagnosis of combat induced or pre-exisiting PTSD aggravated by military service will qualify you for their Combat Stress Team. CST will work with you individually and can offer professional counseling through Cornerstone - these folks will help you find, or if you have someone already (private sector), a counselor/therapist in your area.

WWP will pick up the tab for upwards of 24 sessions.

This is excellent option and WWP's Combat Stress Teams are highly regarded.

Recovery/Rehabilitation equals our "New Normal" in the best sense of the term. Take a knee and ask for a helping hand - you will never regret it.

[CAP MARINE]

Foxcolt13, my friend was there too-J. Hernandez- he was out of the bldg that morning, luckily.