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 U.S. Military Veteran's Suicide Hotline

1-800-273-8255 FREE

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Post Traumatic Stress can result when someone experiences severe injury, a dramatic threat to their own personal safety, or witnesses anothers' severe injury or death.

Avoidance of triggers is a common response: "If I don't drive then I won't feel anxious when I imagine threats along the freeway," or, "If I start to cry, I'll never stop."

Triggers are reminders of the terrifying event and can be smells or sounds.

Avoidance of certain areas (large crowds), situations (BBQ's), or people (specific ethnic groups), temporarily manages and controls anxiety. But, over time, the avoidant behavior becomes problematic in itself and limits activities and normal social behavior, resulting in increased depression and isolation.

Common Behaviors of OEF/OIF Combat Veterans

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Family members of Veterans struggling with Post Traumatic Stress may be eligible to receive clinical assistance. Contact 619-400-5199619-400-5199

Many Veterans resist therapy because they feel shame, believe they should be able to "handle it" on their own, or feel that the memories will fade away.  Some Veterans are distrusting of health care and others are afraid of being exposed for their mental condition.

The transition to civilian life may feel trivial or boring to a returning soldier, which increases feelings of worthlessness or isolation. Many returning Veterans continue to seek out adrenalized behaviors (fast driving, alcohol consumption) as a means of coping with the monotony of civilian life.

The sooner a Veteran gets help, the better off he/she will be. Many Veterans seek out counseling if they have a spouse or loved one supporting them to find a patient and understanding counselor.

Christina has an in-depth knowledge of military culture and provides expert treatment for PTSD.

Veterans who suffer concussive traumatic brain injury may experience similar symptoms as above, in addition to poor balance, headaches and irritability.

Therapy is a controlled environment. You will be safe at all times.

ANGER: Anger is often expressed in a unacceptable manner that frightens others (family) and threatens financial security (job loss).  Unresolved anger can be expressed physically (hitting walls, getting in fights, kicking the dog,) but anger can also be expressed through intimidation of others - body posture and eye contact. This is frightening behavior in our society and consequences for misplaced or simmering anger can be severe.

DEPRESSION: It is good to recognize signs of depression, such as over sleeping, numbing behaviors like alcohol abuse, or driving too fast. Depressed people often avoid physical intimacy, lose interest in daily life, and feel bored by everyday tasks.

Trying to "forget the past" or "put it behind me" will not effectively solve the pain and trauma of combat or wartime exposure.

Counseling is available for military sexual assault victims as well.

Flexible financial arrangements will be made for active or retired military and their family members

Christina is a provider for Tri-West - your insurance may cover visits, however private pay (without the use of your insurance)  is also available.

Military discounts offered.

We have no access to your military records. 

Please call confidentially now for an immediate appointment in our small and private office.

FOR FUN! Walt Disney World Resort Offer Active & Retired US Military Receive a FREE FIVE-DAY TICKETas a complimentary Armed Forces Salute from Disney.

Ten tips for parents during a deployment. 

1) Talk with your child whenever you can, even if it seems he or she doesn't want to talk.

2) Make school and home safe. Keep house rules the same while the service member is deployed.

3) Encourage "news" breaks...turn tv off.

4) Stresses of war may heighten normal daily tasks.

5) Show your child a map of the pertinent physical locations (Iraq, your home, and map out the distance).

6) Do not push children to speak via telephone or webcam with the deployed parent. Instead, get creative about mutual activities - i.e., reading the same book together on the phone. Make the focus less intense.

7) Speak with the school about the deployed service member - this will make them aware of your child's special needs right now.

8) Watch for signs of anxiety and fear. Many children will express this through regressed behavior or withdrawal.

9) Do not be afraid to get counseling for your child or your family. usually, concerning behavior in our children can be easily explained - working with a professional who understands child development and the stresses of war can help you plan for healthy responses and new ways of parenting.

10) Provide a physical way to count down days of absence or return. It is easier for children to see an outward sign of time. i.e., put M&M's in a jar and take one out for each day that has passed - a visual for this much closer to a homecoming.

HoMeCoMiNG iS A PrOcEss...not a siNgle Event.

Each stage of the Deployment Cycle can benefit from counseling with a Licensed Professional Counseling - Calls are anonymous 760.522.5659760.522.5659

"I went out and bought a fast motorcycle just to feel that high alertness...I need the adrenaline rush because now, at home, nothing really seems as exciting by comparison. There was always a lot of shooting [in Iraq]. When someone's shooting at you it definitely gets your attention and you can never get complacent. I'm home now but I'm still afraid to slack off and relax. The bike helps me burn most of it off, but I don't know what to do with it [adrenaline] when I'm not riding. - A Soldier home from Iraqi Freedom

PTSD INFO