Thank you for your post. I apologize for the late reply, I didn’t see it until now. Your post speaks to something very true. I am actually quite familiar with this culture having lived it as a firefighter in both the USMC and as a civilian. First responder culture is indeed similar to military culture in many ways- including the stigma surrounding PTSD. Some of my beginning work with trauma was primarily with fellow first responders. As you mentioned, first responders are exposed to very tragic cases and often do so on a regular basis over many years. Some good news: We have not forgotten you. All SE practitioners are trained to work with the various traumatic events and responses. This includes horror and vicarious trauma. In addition, there are practitioners within the SE community who specialize in working with first responders, humanitarian aid workers, mass disaster relief, and other rescue personnel who struggle with what they encountered while rescuing others. On the homepage you will see a link to help you find a practitioner, including practitioners in Canada. I hope this helps….and thank you for your service.

So good to read your blog post. My name is Nancy and I’m an SEP working at the Asheville, NC- VA. I would love to be able to connect with you further on how you are bringing SE into the VA you work at. I, along with another SEP I work with, have started groups for veterans and staff, which have been working out really well.
Anyhow, would love to connect further if you are able.

All the best,
Nancy

Jane,
Well, you will be likely be ahead of the game in terms of your social engagement and limbic understanding. SE will give you more tools to enable your Vets to integrate what your majestic animals aid in unlocking! I would love to have you post back later and share how your SE work intersects with your equine work.

Peace,
Vanessa

Thank you for your comment and I thank your husband for his service and welcome him home. I am not sure if he has been connected to treatment, but in case he has not, here are a couple routes for him. First, there is a list of SE practitioners that I would direct him to. http://www.traumahealing.com/somatic-experiencing/practitioner-directory.html There are many practioners who have plenty of experience working with combat PTSD.
Another option is finding a Vet Center in your area. http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/vetcenter_flsh.asp
Vet Centers tend to have more leeway room with incorporating various treatments and also are able to work with couples, spouses and families. I hope this is helpful.
Peace,
Vanessa

I really appreciate your informative, yet approachable post. I want to tip my hat to you as a neighbor, as well. I share an office in Long Beach, CA with two other SE practitioners. We are having a free Feldenkrais/ Anat Baniel Method clinic for veterans on July 13, 12-7. The approach involves gentle touch to reduce chronic muscle contractions and better map the skeleton in the brain. This mapping is especially useful in learning to use reconstructed and prosthetic limbs. All in a trauma-informed context. Thanks for introducing Give An Hour. If there are any local veterans groups I should contact, please let me know. Many thanks and best wishes, Sonya

This is so wonderful to read. I’m now an Equine Facilitated Learning instructor and coach who is working with veterans and am about to embark on the SE training here in CT. I’m so pleased to understand more about how you use the SE as part of other things. It became clear to me that working with horses (all in exercises on the ground) is about unlocking emotional numbness through the unique movements associated with leading, grooming and connecting with horses. The stories start to unwind as well as vets begin to realize that they have choices and that they CAN relax, stay engage and relate to others in their lives in a different way. Our goal is to accelerate the readjustment process to civilian life and thank goodness the VA and Vet Centers here are opening their doors to complementary therapies/approaches. If we can gain some ground and scale this work up, I hope we’ll be able to help vets and their families all over the country. Collaboration and combining techniques seems to be essential – as treating symptoms certainly does seem to have a very short life. All the best….Jane

Moreen,
Yes, I am pleased as well. Give an Hour may be a good place to start. Their website is http://www.giveanhour.org. VA therapists use this site as it is a good way to supplement the care Veterans get with the VA. It also allows the family to get treatment as we know the family is affected by the trauma of the Veteran as well. It is also a great way for veterans who don’t “qualify” for VA services to still get much needed treatment. This is also how I connect contract warriors (who are often prior service) to the treatment they need to therapists who accept them as clients. You are able to create a profile and specify your location and specialization. You may also explore some of the options I mentioed in the post above. I hope this leads to good connection and good healing!
Peace,
Vanessa

Diana,
Thanks for your interest and your comment! There are a few ways to get involved. Calling your nearest VA and speaking to Volunteer Services may be a good starting point. Additionally, searching local PTSD treatment facilities may prove to be beneficial as many residential and outpatient facilities utilize various treatments. There are also many churches and community groups creating opportunities for Vets to reengage the community and I am sure your gifting would be welcomed. Thanks for your heart for our Veterans!