After 17 years in the U.S. Navy as a hospital corpsman, Cassie Williams, a certified Christian counselor, saw the need to offer returning and active service members a helping hand reorienting to civilian life.
Williams, with the Samaritan Counseling Center, is co-facilitating a new group support meeting in Nacogdoches to do just that. With her is Angela Cooper, licensed professional counselor, also with Samaritan Counseling Center.
Ashley Cook/The Lufkin Daily News |
Cassie Williams, left, a certified Christian counselor and 17-year U.S. Navy veteran, and Angela Cooper, a licensed professional counselor, both with the Samaritan Counseling Center (with offices in Lufkin and Nacogdoches) are co-facilitating new, free group meetings in Nacogdoches on Mondays supporting returning and active military in returning to civilian life.
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The group is also designed to assist military on leave. Though their time visiting at home may be short, there can still be difficulties, Cooper said.
"You still have to cope with life," she said.
The free, confidential service is offered through a grant, which also covers individual counseling for military members and their family. Both counselors emphasized the confidential nature of the group meetings and individual assistance. No names are given to any branch of military service, the Veteran's Administration nor to any other agency.
The group sessions are not mental health counseling, according to Williams. They are educational meetings, with support and coping skills to help military further learn to apply reorientation skills, she said.
"I really do believe this program is definitely needed. I can speak personally," she said.
There is no worry over "red tape" with this program, and with confidentiality, no worry about stigmatized reactions. Still for some, getting help can be something they're afraid to seek.
"It's like a taboo. You're told, 'No pain, no gain,'" Williams said.
The brief reorientation training offered by military branches — often as little as one week for returning Iraqi and Afghanistan vets — doesn't cut it, according to Williams.
"It's just not enough. We can help them implement those skills," she said.
The program also offers assistance with job placement, healthcare system management and other civilian life issues.
Symptoms that may indicate a returning or active service member might need to seek assistance include:
— agitation
— insomnia
— depression
— anger
— nightmares/dreams
— mentally re-experiencing combat or other service times
— separation anxiety
— job placement issues
— difficulty with civilian requirements such as healthcare, utilities
All services through Samaritan for returning or active military are free of charge. The group will meet 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Mondays in Nacogdoches at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 903 N. St.
For more information, call (936) 639-6512 (office will ring you over to Nacogdoches) or (936) 564-4064.
