MY JOURNEY HOME
It has been quite a journey since I have returned from Germany. My plans were to write about my experience while in Germany--working with soldiers and their families. I was there for 3 years---2 years on the Adult Unit and one year one the Child and Adolescent unit. I was so sure that I would want to write down what I experienced while I was there but I found myself unmotivated to make it to the computer.
Rather than write, I thought a lot about what I experienced with these soldiers and read extensively on trauma to try and figure out what was happening. I wanted to know--what is it? how can I help? what helps? who helps? what makes a difference? I explored the various kinds of treatment. Through the Army, I was trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Retraining, Prolonged Exposure Treatment--all approved treatments for PTSD by the Army. That is something I can discuss later...but it was certainly a journey from there to here.
While I truly enjoyed my work at LRMC--first with adults and then working with families --I decided to return to the states to be closer to family and friends. I know that my experiences in Germany working with the military and their families will benefit my work with ALL families I work with now and in the future.
My plan with this blog is to work on describing the ways that I have transformed and ways that I have changed my own approach and outlook on dealing with trauma---what it is? and what to do? I am humbled by what I have learned yet deeply moved by those who I have worked with. I owe so much to those I have worked with and will continue to describe what this is....so the suffering that we see so often, will be understood as just a "piece" of the puzzle....
Let's continue this journey together....
