VA Marriage Counselors: How Therapy Can Help Veterans
Veterans Affairs (VA) marriage counselors can help veterans and their partners cope with mental health challenges and other issues negatively impacting their marriages. For instance, they may help with post-traumatic stress disorder( PTSD), anxiety, depression, stress, readjustment, and more. Vet centers also offer support for veterans seeking assistance. While Veterans Affairs (VA) often provides various mental health and marriage counseling services, you may also benefit from online marriage therapy.
How counseling can help veterans
If you are currently looking for the nearest marriage counseling for veterans, the good news is that you are already making excellent progress. Some people may not spot major issues until there is considerable damage, or they may choose to avoid their problems altogether. This willingness and desire to make changes and get the help you and your spouse need can help you get the most out of marriage counseling through available mental health services.
To further understand why help for veteran couples can be such an important aspect of repairing your marriage and how some veterans’ issues in relationships may differ, it can be necessary to closely examine veterans’ issues and how they can impact couples. In the sections listed below, we will review why marriages involving military services and veterans tend to experience additional strain. While online therapy serves as a great resource for couples, we will also share other available services to get the support you need.
The effects of trauma on marital stress and mental health
One of the most common mental disorders for veterans that can impact the whole family is PTSD. PTSD may reveal itself in several ways that can include avoiding certain triggers, reliving traumatic experiences, and experiencing negative thoughts, emotions, and feelings that may result in acting out or lashing out at another person. Seeking support through mental health services can greatly benefit both you and those you love.
While it can be hard enough to cope with on your own, the impact of PTSD can often spread to the rest of the family and can be especially damaging to the spouse of the veteran. Besides picking up the habits of the person who is living with PTSD and attempting to cope with a relationship that may be unstable and frightening at times, it has also been found that spouses can be more likely to develop their own mental health issues, affecting each person’s well-being.
One study published in the New England Journal of Medicine analyzed the medical records of approximately 250,000 spouses of soldiers who had been deployed to areas such as Iraq and Afghanistan between 2003 and 2006, finding that prolonged and multiple deployments generally increased the risk of spouses developing anxious and depressive symptoms.
It should be mentioned that PTSD is not the only issue that partners can experience when it comes to veteran relationships, as people living with mental health issues may show it in a variety of ways.
Concerns during and after deployment
Another major problem that veteran couples can experience is the impact of deployment. When one-half of the relationship is called away to active duty, the spouse is usually left to keep up the responsibilities of daily life, which can have consequences. From taking care of children to managing finances, spouses may feel more alone in their lives and relationships, which can lead to stress, emotional disconnection, anger, depression, and other mental health problems. Building a network of friends can provide essential support.
Even the return from deployment may not remedy the issues experienced by the spouse during the duration of the separation. Typically, spouses who are awaiting the arrival of their partner expect the reunion to be amazing. However, this might not always be the case. Both the veteran and their spouse may need to become accustomed to the changes that occurred during deployment and may require readjustment counseling. Marriage counseling often includes education on communication and relationship skills. Having supportive friends can also play an essential role in the healing process.
How can VA marriage counselors help address veterans’ relationship challenges?
Following the return from deployment, other issues can arise that may have the potential to stress a relationship. For example, financial and employment issues are two very common factors that can play into veteran problems. Depending on the situation, certain relationships may experience financial challenges, and some veterans may have issues finding employment after they return from deployment.
Couples counseling may help address some of those challenges by providing partners with tools to improve communication, restore intimacy, and develop better problem-solving skills. Some common concerns addressed in couples therapy might include disrespecting boundaries, emotional or physical infidelity, a lack of communication, a lack of sexual intimacy, a lack of appreciation and romance, and a lack of trust. Fortunately, VA counseling can connect experienced mental health professionals with couples to guide them through any issues they may be experiencing.
Online marriage counseling for veterans
Another option for veterans seeking marriage counseling services may be online therapy, where it can be possible to connect with a licensed mental health professional from anywhere with a stable internet connection. This can even enable you and your spouse to attend therapy sessions together when you are not in the same physical location. Online therapy can address issues like stress, PTSD, readjustment, and others that may be affecting your marriage.
The efficacy of online therapy
As this study explains, online couples therapy can be effective, and the participants reported that the experience was positive and beneficial, even though they initially had doubts as to whether virtual counseling would be as effective as traditional in-office therapy. The participants also noted that they were able to form strong therapeutic alliances with their therapists.
Takeaway
Veterans Affairs marriage counselors can help veterans and their partners with a variety of issues ranging from stress and anxiety to depression, PTSD, marriage troubles, and more. They can also help veterans and their spouses readjust to life after returning from deployment. Although VA marriage counseling can be an excellent resource, you may also wish to consider online therapy as a convenient alternative.
Are veterans able to participate in counseling for free?
Veterans can get free mental health services, some of which can include readjustment counseling or couples and family therapy. It is not uncommon for a soldier to come back from a deployment and develop PTSD or struggle to reintegrate into “normal” civilian life. Often, professional help from a licensed mental health professional can be highly beneficial in aiding veterans with any mental health challenges they may be experiencing. Mental health services offered through the VA facility provide comprehensive support to service members seeking assistance. The local VA connects service members to various mental health services and counseling programs designed to offer support for families experiencing anxiety or depression in daily life.
Where can I go to receive marriage counseling from the VA?
To find a suitable relationship counselor, you may contact the VA if you are a veteran or do an internet search for couples therapists in your local area. Vet centers offer specialized marriage counseling services tailored to veterans' unique needs. Alternatively, you may consider joining an online therapy platform that empowers you to get help from the comfort of your home for added convenience. You may also explore in-person sessions at VA facilities, where licensed marriage professionals provide counseling services for families. The vet centers can be a valuable resource for veterans seeking specialized support in managing anxiety or depression throughout life.
How do VA marriage counselors help veterans?
Veterans often have specific marriage counseling, relationship and family counseling, and individual therapy needs. A licensed professional therapist who specializes in treating veterans is often an excellent choice. If you are living with a particular diagnosis or mental health condition, such as PTSD, you may also seek out a mental health professional with experience helping others living with similar challenges. Family members can benefit from family therapy sessions to strengthen support systems. At VA facilities and vet centers, a licensed marriage therapist can offer in-person counseling services to service members and their families, helping them engage in the process of improving skills for communication and addressing feelings of anxiety or depression.
Does the VA provide free marriage counseling?
The VA often provides free marriage and family counseling. These services are designed to support service members and their family members in maintaining healthy relationships and addressing marital issues. Access to free individual therapy and couples therapy ensures that veterans receive the necessary mental health care without financial burden. The VA also delivers additional counseling services to families coping with anxiety, ensuring they receive continuous support and education on healthy relationship skills. This approach helps service members and veterans heal from the strains of military life, promoting stronger connections among friends and loved ones.
What is the difference between couples therapy and marriage counseling?
The difference between couples therapy and marriage counseling is that couples therapy focuses on developing communication and deepening emotional intimacy between couples, regardless of their relationship status. Meanwhile, marriage counseling mainly focuses on repairing and making the marriage stronger and more resilient amidst challenges in civilian life. Some families may prefer counseling in a VA setting, while others might seek services or strategies from other resources that focus on divorce prevention or addressing depression and anxiety within the relationship.
What are the different VA disability ratings for mental health?
A veteran may receive a VA mental health disability rating of 0, 10, 30, 70, and 100 percent. These ratings assess the severity of a mental health condition and determine the level of benefits and mental health services a veteran is eligible for. Understanding these ratings can help veterans access appropriate mental health care. Alongside these ratings, the VA can provide mental health services for families and people living with ongoing anxiety or depression, ensuring consistent support throughout the individual’s life.
What kind of therapy is best for couples?
The best therapy for couples is Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. This therapy is centered on the idea that human experiences revolve around emotions and that this is how humans structure their lives. Its main goal is to make the bonds between two people stronger so that they can be able to stand on any issues that may arise now or down the road of their relationship. Engaging in regular couples therapy sessions can lead to life-changing improvements in the relationship. Many families find that comprehensive counseling from the VA includes education on healthy relationship skills and feelings management, which can significantly support a stable and fulfilling life.
What is a marriage and family counselor?
Marriage and family counselors or therapists are mental health professionals who study psychotherapy and learn about family systems and are licensed to diagnose and cure mental and emotional disorders related to marriage, couples, and family systems. These counselors provide mental health services that support families in overcoming challenges and enhancing their relationships. A family therapist may offer counseling through VA services, helping clients develop healthy relationship strategies, handle anxiety, and heal from past experiences that affect their daily life.
What type of counselor is best for married couples?
The best counselor for marriage is a licensed marriage family therapist who specializes in working with couples and families. These counselors focus on helping people manage and fix their relationships and help the clients develop necessary relationship skills. Engaging in marriage counseling can address various marital issues and improve overall mental health within the marriage. These counseling services may also be offered through the VA, giving families the flexibility to schedule sessions around work and family education commitments, ultimately improving how clients handle challenges in life.
What type of psychologist is a marriage counselor?
A marriage counselor is a licensed mental health professional who specializes in couples therapy and family therapy. They are trained to help service members, veterans, and their family members navigate marital issues, improve communication skills, and address mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression that may affect the relationship. Marriage counselors provide comprehensive mental health services in various settings, including VA facilities and vet centers.
Through individual therapy and family therapy sessions, they support clients in healing and building stronger, healthier relationships. Whether dealing with divorce, stress, or other life-changing challenges, a marriage counselor offers guidance, support, and effective strategies to help families thrive. They collaborate with parents and children to foster a supportive family environment, ensuring that all family members benefit from the counseling process. By utilizing their expertise in mental health care, marriage counselors play a vital role in enhancing the overall well-being of many couples and families. Furthermore, the VA encourages families to explore counseling as a way to develop strong skills and share feelings. With these services, clients experience a positive course to heal that nurtures their relationship with friends, children, and each person involved, leading to long-term support and growth.
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