TODAY, I AM Hopeful

Valerie,
U.S. Army Veteran

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Today, I Am Giving Back

For the first time in my life, I recognized that I was not to blame — that there was hope.

For 40 years, Valerie was silent about the military sexual trauma she experienced in the U.S. Army. When her husband thought she was showing some symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, he encouraged her to go to their local Vet Center, where Valerie met the therapist who helped changed her life.

What Made the Difference

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Today, I Am Giving Back

Treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Experiencing any severe trauma or life-threatening event can cause symptoms of PTSD. Hundreds of thousands of Veterans have found significant relief from their PTSD symptoms through treatment.

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Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is a form of talk therapy that teaches people to reroute their negative thought patterns to improve their mental health. Many Veterans have found CBT effective in helping them process and recover from the effects of their experiences.

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Treatment after military sexual trauma (MST)

As with other types of trauma, people can react to MST in many different ways. Some recover on their own. For many, however, the experience of MST continues to affect their mental and physical health, work, relationships or everyday life — sometimes years later.

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