The Veteran Transition Project
Healing The Wounds Of War
THE PROBLEM/CRITICAL NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY
From our research and interactions with thousands of Veterans and their family members over the years, we can make one statement with complete certainty:
Unless our returning Veterans can learn ways to de-compress from war and deployment and to lower their extreme symptoms of combat related stress, the anxiety, depression and self absorbed isolation they experience can last a lifetime. Consequently, both Veterans and their families will continue to suffer greatly and far too many will fall between the cracks of our society or will not survive the trials of homecoming.
The purpose of The Veteran Transition Project is to explore programs and resources that help Veterans de-escalate from war fighting experiences without losing the qualities and awareness that have kept them alive in a combat environment. The Veteran Transition Project is the result of extensive research by the founder, board members and volunteers of Veterans and Families.
Our mission is to identify programs, services, technologies and processes that help transitioning Veterans through the trials of homecoming and back into family life, advanced education and employment.
Intrusive Thoughts That Create Stress, Anxiety, Anger & Aggression
In addition to traditional counseling, mental health methods and practices, we are committed to collaborating and supporting emerging technologies and alternative healing methods that are in need of exposure, attention and support.
The unfortunate facts:
One in three veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from significant to severe stress, anxiety and or trauma, yet close to 60% of them do not seek help, typically for one or all of the following reasons:
Fear of being stigmatized by peers and superiors.
Fear of having documentation in their medical records that could prevent future advancement or civilian employment opportunities.
The personal pride in ones self reliance that is ingrained from military training can imbed an aversion to asking for help.
A discomfort or aversion to counseling and to sharing or reliving difficult experiences, especially if the counselor is a non-Veteran or non-Combat Veteran.
The Veterans Administration and other government resources are creating new programs and resources that are making great improvements to helping our returning military but are admittedly at their capacity in treating veterans. Simply stated, they are unprepared and overstretched.
A report entitled, “An Achievable Vision”, released in June of 2007 by the department of defense task force on mental health concludes,
“The Military Health System lacks the fiscal resources and fully trained personnel to fulfill its mission to support psychological health in peacetime or fulfill the enhanced requirements imposed during times of conflict. The mission of caring for psychological health has fundamentally changed and the current system must be restructured to reflect these changes. This requires acknowledgement of new fiscal and personnel requirements necessary to meet current and future demands for a full spectrum of services including: resilience-building, assessment, prevention, early intervention, and provision of an easily-accessible continuum of treatment for psychological health for service members and their families in Active and Reserve components.”
After this report was released, the military announced it would develop a plan to hire hundreds of psychiatrists and mental health workers to help returning vets and their families. This will take a great deal of time to orchestrate. Meanwhile, there remains a significant and spiraling gap between the war veterans suffering from PTSD who receive effective and timely help and those who do not.
A State of the Art Solution for Returning Veterans
After five years of research, Veterans and Families found a ground-breaking solution in an advanced form of neurofeedback is available from two U.S. based companies, HealthWalk and Brain State Technologies. The science and result of neurofeedback is the balancing of neuro-pathways (called neuronets) that form in the brain during exposure to trauma. This emerging technology has demonstrated astonishing promise for present and ongoing research into the field of brain resiliance and trauma recovery. Veterans exposed to this brain ballancing technology have experienced significant reductions and/or complete eliminations of the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder, addiction and depression for more than four thousand people in less than three years.
HealthWalk’s modalities support improvement in health, personal, professional and performance that resonate with the mindset of today’s military. They offer by far the most comprehensive and promising offering for restoring quality of life to Combat Veterans returning from highly stressful and challenging deployments. HealthWalk program’s focus is directed toward resiliency training to optimize readiness and unit cohesion and does not involve disclosure or need to recount traumatic experiences. Having a proven and reliable system for restoring balance and resiliency to both the brain and the body will reinforce and promote a ready and highly resilient fighting force that can also live a more balanced and fulfilling home life with their families. The resources offered in this program can be provided in tandem and integrated seamlessly into the existing mental health resources that are readily available throughout the military and VA systems.
In the coming months and years, The Veteran Transition Project will be demonstrating and sponsoring a host of existing and newly discovered processes and technologies that help to reduce the symptoms of combat related stress injuries and disorders such as:
Dr. Robert Scaer, M.D., noted author, leading neurologist, explains what happens in the brain during traumatic events. If the brain and body have been conditioned to react to life threats, the brain develops neuronets that begin to perceive threats in situations where none exist. This condition creates “hyper vigilance” or “hyper paranoia” and is a very necessary state of mind when in a combat environment. The brain does this for its' own survival, because this is the brain’s main function – survival of the organism. While counseling and talk therapy can be of some help - it often does not go all the way, and it takes an exceptionally long time, years and decades, for healing to take hold or become permanent. Moreover, many veterans are reluctant to seek counseling for fear of detrimental information being placed in their medical files that could later be used to deny them benefits or promotions.
This advanced form of neurofeedback is not only extremely effective, it is fast and does not require talking or self disclosure. It is an appropriate technology for the returning Iraq and Afghanistan younger generation of today – all born in a digital age. There have been enormous neuroscientific discoveries in the past decade, and science has known for some time that post traumatic stress is not a psychological problem - it is a brain imbalance that impacts the body. This is why balancing neuornets using this technology is so effective. It goes to the root of the problem and helps the brain to train itself back to a balanced harmonized state resulting in permanent relief.
Testimonials:
The names and identities of the Veterans and their family members who generously share their experiences are held in the stricktest confidence unless permission is granted to include this information. We deeply appreciate the Veterans and their family members who choose to share their experiences.
Military training and conditioning prepares our men and women to complete their objectives and missions regardless of hardships or obstacles. If they are the last person surviving, they must complete the mission at all cost. The very quality of self reliance can become a barrier to care when Veterans find themselves in unchartered territory such as homecoming and transitioning from military to civilian life. It is for this reason that we hold their trust, privacy and confidentiality in the highest regard.
SGT. Danny F, OEF Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, U.S. ARMY 10th MTN. DIV. 1-87 INFANTRY:
“I served two tours as a Squad Leader and combat infantryman in Afghanistan and was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder upon returning home. After two years of intensive group and individual counseling, I was still experiencing many symptoms of the disorder; mainly lack of sleep, irritability and a high level of anxiety. After Brain State Conditioning I am now sleeping better than I ever have, and I am happy to say that my irritability and anger is gone. The anxiety I previously experienced is now in my control, meaning that I understand my own frustrations and can take effective measures to resolve issues, minimizing stress and anxiety. The best part of this technology is that I never had to mention a thing about my combat experiences as this is not a not a “talk therapy” solution. I am currently taking a full course load at school and maintaining my family life with a great deal of enjoyment and ease. I am truly thankful to this project for all the relief this training has brought to me and my family, and am telling every vet that I know. Thanks Again.”
Michael G., SSGT M. OIF Veteran, U.S. Army Reserve – Chronological Testimonial
Journal Entries:
070810 Fri – At this point in time, I was at the end of my rope, stressed beyond my limits.
070811 Sat – After 2 sessions of Brain State Conditioning, Saturday afternoon was confusing. My mind was fairly clear of “intrusive thoughts” and constant input of multiple layers of thoughts which always seem to overwhelm my head. My confusion was silence.
070812 Sun – When I woke up Sun morning I had a headache; similar to a light hangover although I hadn’t drank alcohol the night prior. I brought this up to John Henry, and he said light headaches were normal after a day of brain training. I attended two additional sessions Sun morning and afternoon. Again Sun night, my mind was filled with silence.
070813 Mon – On the way to work this morning, I drove to work with no increasing level of stress the closer I got to work. As my work day progressed, I noticed that I could focus on each task as they appeared. Regardless of the volume of emails, phone calls and ad hoc tasks, I was able to focus on each task as the priorities changed before my eyes. In situations that would have seen me explode on my boss, or walk out of the office because the final straw appeared, I simply reprioritized and continued with my work.
070814 Tue – Again, on the way to work this morning, I drove to work with no increasing level of stress. Incredible. I had a fairly crazy day, but again, I was able to clearly focus on each individual task, and change focus as new tasks interrupted. I was not overwhelmed, stressed or pissed off. I worked 11 hours with two 20 minutes breaks.
070815 Wed – Today I was tired, but continued to be able to clearly focus on each task as it came. Kim & I had a date night, seeing the new Harry Potter and crashing the new Borne Identity movie. Both were enjoyable and I was able to focus on our date night instead of thinking about work or other inevitable tasks clouding my mind.
070815 Wed – We had stayed out watching movies until midnight, so I only got six hours of sleep. I was tired all day and had trouble focusing, but not because my mind was clouded with too many thoughts, but because I was tired. Welcomed refreshment. Additionally, my boss and I had a couple discussions where I had to convince him I was not being uncooperative. I think he is still seeing the old me, not the new me.
Flashbacks:
Wed night Kim and I saw the Borne Ultimatum. At one point in the movie, Jason had just killed a man and he was looking at his hands covered in blood. My flashback ended in 15 minutes.
Sun at reserves we attended mandatory classes for TBI/PTSD training. My flashback and anger ended within a half hour.
Summary
My life contains all the normal stressors; bills, house projects, work, spouse, child, family obligations, etc. In addition, I am also an active military reservist and an Iraqi veteran. I have been in the military since 1988, serving on both active duty and reserves.
Since returning from Iraq in April 2004, I have been extremely stressed, pissed off, hyper-vigilant, anxious and easily set-off to explosive anger. My newfound emotions left my family unhappy, friends confused and work questioning my sanity.
Within the last few months, I knew I was getting closer and closer to a complete stress/anxiety induced breakdown, or explosion, its hard to say which way it would go. Work also noticed my increased level of stress and anger, scaring some and causing concern among others.
My mind was in a constant cycle of thoughts coming and going, impossible to sort, categorize or control. It seemed like a hundred little men were all trying to gain my attention by shoving ideas, concepts or tasks to the front of my mind at the same time. Each little man wanted my complete focus, and as the little man gained my focus, another little man would shove him aside, restarting the cycle.
Since receiving services from The Warrior Transition Project I am able to focus on each task at hand, and the hundred little men have been replaced by one little man, who only gives me one task at a time. I find I am able to focus clearly, my anger has subsided, and I haven’t verbally attacked anyone.
My flashbacks and hyper-vigilance have been reduced to a manageable level.
I have stopped drinking massive amounts of coffee every morning, replacing it with tea. Although this may seem minor to some, I haven’t missed my morning cup of coffee in years. To stop drinking coffee, simply by choice, seemed impossible prior to “Brain State Conditioning”. I have also reduced or eliminated my nightly alcohol intake. Again, this alcohol reduction is based on my choice, not my past need to slow down the little men in my head or a desire to ward off anxiety induced insomnia.
Additionally, and perhaps most important, I can focus on my wife and son while we are together. Our family time is not shared with work, Iraq, or that deep, dark place that we don’t want revealed to those we love. I truly believe The Warrior Transition Project has given me back my life. Thank you John Henry, Veterans and Families and to everyone else involved.
Mike G.
Conclusion
We believe Brain State Conditioning tm can have a greater and more efficient impact in addressing what the report calls, “the two signature injuries of the current conflict; post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.”
A few notable distinctions about Brain State Conditioning that appeal to Veterans are:
Requires no “talk” therapy or disclosure of personal or traumatic events
Expedient: 15-20 Sessions within a short time frame (10 - 15 days)
Reduction and in many cases, elimination of symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance and excessive anger
Allows for deeper and more restorative sleep
Improved concentration and focus
Can reduce or even eliminate addictions to drugs, alcohol and smoking
We also believe that brain state conditioning is an appropriate solution for military personnel who shun counseling or ‘talk therapy’ for fear of reprisals and having detrimental information placed in their medical files.
Our goal is to answer the following two questions: 1) how well have we done to alleviate their symptoms? and 2) how well have we done to alleviate their symptoms 3 months after training? From the significant and growing evidence of Brain State Conditioning tm, we are hopeful about the results, and have a “next step” strategy for expanding the awareness and access to this technology across the U.S.
NOTE: Participants must not consume drugs or alcholol during their partipation. Each session last approximately 1 hour 45 minutes and requires 15-20 sessions in a two to three week period.
The following offices offer Brain State Conditioning tm sessions for Veterans and for the general public. Many offices will provide services to Veterans at a reduced rate or in some cases free of charge if they have available times in their schedules.
If you or someone you know has served in the military and are suffering from the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or other combat related stress injuries you may call any of the offices below to see if they have availability.
Arizona
Flagstaff
The Balanced Brain
Barbara Sheridan
Doug Larson, DC
928.527.1777
