Military-Focused Counseling

Military-Focused Counseling services headquartered in Indianapolis

Military-focused counseling provides person-centered care for active or retired military members. At Bridges, Sasha Hamilton, MSW, LCSW, leads a team of experienced telehealth providers who understand your unique needs. The practice, headquartered in Indianapolis, offers comprehensive mental health care that helps you cope, grow, and thrive, no matter what’s next in your life. Call the office or schedule your first telehealth visit online now.

Who qualifies for military-focused counseling?

Military-focused counseling serves the mental health needs of people who serve or previously served in the military, including:

Active duty members of the military
National Guard members
Military reserve members
Civilian expeditionary workforce for the Department of Defense

Bridges also offers military-focused counseling to immediate family members (spouse or children) of people in any of these groups.

What problems does military-focused counseling cover?

Members of the military may face many challenges that others may not. For example, deployments, frequent high-stress situations, and losing friends and colleagues. As a result, military members may experience:

Mental health disorders

Military members have a higher risk of mental health disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety, compared to civilians. For example, up to 16% of military members in Iraq and Afghanistan struggle with PTSD or depression.

Substance use disorders

Substance use disorders (misuse of alcohol and drugs) are common in the military population. Frequently, substance use challenges occur alongside mental health struggles like depression and PTSD.

Family and relationship problems

Military life can take its toll on relationships and families. Many military members are away from home for long periods, and families may have to move frequently. Some military members struggle to connect with their spouses or kids emotionally.

What can I expect from military-focused counseling?

Military-focused counseling is attuned to your individual needs. The team takes an evidence-based, holistic, inclusive, and patient-centered approach that covers all situations unique to military members.

Counseling involves talking to specialists through telehealth visits to express your feelings and thoughts in a no-judgment zone.

Creating an action plan is a vital part of counseling. There are many ways to do so, for example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It helps you learn what your unhealthy and distorted thought patterns are. Then, you understand how those patterns cause harm and how to make changes.

Essentially, counseling can help you recognize problems, shift your perspective, and improve your thoughts and behaviors.

Counseling may be just one aspect of your health care. Bridges can help with skill building, reentry to civilian life, advocacy, medication management, crisis intervention, and other essential care.

Call Bridges at 833-Br1dges or reach out online to get military counseling now.