Military personnel and their families need understanding, consideration and, at times, professional support and appropriate intervention. Several of the clinicians at Healing Pathways have expertise in treating active enlisted personnel, military officers, military veterans and members of their families.

Military families endure stresses unique to the situations they often encounter in military life. A spouse who was deployed may return with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The complications of numerous moves from one isolated location to another are often compounded by the inability to socially network or find appropriate schools for children. Children in mobile military families often suffer from the lack of enduring friendships, and all family members may exhibit a marked and severe sense of social isolation and inadequate social support.

Recurrent moves require changes in health-care professionals; frequent relocation is particularly disruptive in the field of mental health because development of trust takes time. A family member who is under psychiatric care is forced to tell the “same old story” — the clinical history — repeatedly, accompanying the attendant fear that a new psychiatrist may decide to pursue a new treatment that may not work, may misunderstood the nature of a problem, or may be less attentive than desirable.

We’ll help reveal underlying problems
Even though military parents may present children as the intended patient, unstated problems in the marital relationship may be the underlying cause of difficulties. Only the most perceptive psychotherapists may recognize signs of complications in a relationship that may have been triggered by the stress of deployment to a war zone. Military personnel who are required to engage one set of behaviors for survival in combat conditions frequently encounter difficulty adjusting to the strikingly different behaviors customary in peacetime existence with a spouse and children. Returning military personnel who experience difficulty managing the transition may turn to substance use or commit domestic violence. In addition, the stigma of combat and the need to maintain secrecy about duties involving classified information may further isolate returning veterans from the assistance they need.

Here at Healing Pathways we understand that a member of the military who makes an appointment to see is are taking but the first step toward a clinical intervention encompassing proper understanding, perceptive identification of problems, and support through effective therapy.

Healing Pathways is experienced in enactment of scenarios and other treatment interventions that we have polished through repeated experience. We are skilled in early identification of depression anxiety and substance abuse, along with often accompanying behaviors, including anger, rage, anxiety, withdrawal and depression. We have found that we can help military personnel regain the ability to cope with civilian life through a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and other appropriate talk therapies including Yoga therapy and other interventions, accompanied by support for children that includes assistance with appropriate school placement, and, at times, medication management.

Effective alternative therapies
For those suffering from PTSD, we have had considerable success with the iRest form of Yoga therapy. Yoga is a mind-body practice in the realm of complementary alternative medicine (CAM ) with origins in ancient Indian philosophy.

As part of a general regimen for overall health and well-being to achieve fitness and mental relaxation, we have found Yoga valuable. Various styles of Yoga typically encompass physical postures, breathing techniques and relaxation. Yoga in its full form combines physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation and a philosophy. It is intended to increase relaxation and balance the mind, body and the spirit.

Healing Pathways has various Yoga teachers and Yoga therapists to teach individuals as well as groups in this ancient mind-body discipline.

Healing Pathways also offers treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder for people of all ages.

If you have symptoms or a situation with which you need help, you can take that all-important first step by calling Healing Pathways Medical Clinic. We are here for you.

Healing Pathways: Your road to contentment begins here.