‹ Back

Therapy for Veterans and First Responders

As a US Army veteran I have seen bad days, and I have seen the hurt that exists in the world. I believed I was prepared to see everything I saw and that I was equipped to handle a demanding job that not everyone can understand, let alone do what was asked of me. What I didn’t expect was how I would feel weeks, months, and years after leaving the Army and no longer feeling the value of putting on the uniform or having my buddies to see and talk to. I also wasn’t ready to deal with the trauma I experienced in war. For me, I put those feelings on a shelf in a closet and didn’t want to touch them.

 

I was tough, I am tough, and I don’t have the time or energy to process weak emotions.

Ever felt that way? I sure did, but the issue was that when I least expected it to happen, I was in that closet drowning in the emotions and was too “tough” to share them with people. It became an infected wound; it began to fester, and I felt like maybe the only way to treat the wound was to amputate it. That isn’t how we learned to treat a physical wound, so it shouldn’t be the way we treat an emotional wound either.

 

It is okay to go to the aid station, it’s okay to share what you’ve seen and to talk about how you feel. It’s more natural than you may realize. In service to our country or community we become highly trained to get the job done, but sometimes we don’t receive enough training on how to address the aftermath of what we experienced.

 

That is why I am here and that is why I am writing this today. I have seen or experienced some of those same things, both in a time of war or chaos and in the aftermath when I felt like I was spiraling out of control. You are not weak, you are not broken, you have just endured unimaginable things, and you need someone to help you carry the weight. Let someone help to carry the ruck of life you are carrying today, let’s work together to keep you operational and healthy, both in your chosen career and for your family and friends.

 

 

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  - Galatians 6:2 NIV

 

 

--------------------------------------

 

Jeremy Stimac is a Mental Health Therarpist intern. He is currently in graduate school at the Univeristy of Illinois | School of Social Work. Jeremy see clients of all ages and has immediate openings. Schedule your appointment today!

 

 

 

 

 

If you are a Veteran or First Responder, you are not alone. Suffering from anxiety, depression, or PTSD? We have multiple providers who are Veterans and several that have worked hand-in-hand with Veterans and First Responder populations. Let's get out of the valley, together.