Veterans Educational Clinic
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The mission of the Veterans Educational Clinic aims to empower veterans and their families by putting a positive face on recovery and by reducing the impact of mental health and substance use disorders within the veteran community. We accomplish this by successfully engaging veterans in their treatment as peers that have walked in their boots. We promote recovery by sharing our own recovery stories and experiences which encourages proactive behavior and instills a sense of hope by teaching skills to veterans and their support element. We create a cultivating environment of acceptance and inclusion by networking veterans to existing community resources. Lastly, by being an advocate for our community that educates and reduces the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use issues within the veteran community.
Much like many other veterans, I was compelled to join the military after the September 11th attacks on New York and the Pentagon. On December 20th, 2001, I proudly raised my right hand and enlisted. I took part in the Invasion of Iraq as an Infantrymen, In Afghanistan, I flew in the back of Blackhawk helicopters as a crew chief running medevac missions. Although I finished my deployments, I returned home lost and physically broken. I suffered from extreme chronic pain and symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that caused bouts of alcoholism, isolation, and self-destruction.
Like many veterans, I went to my local Veterans Administration (VA) for care, the VA did an excellent job of helping me become whole again. However, this was not easy, I had to prove to the VA that I needed help and was not there just to obtain benefits. Although this process protects the VA, it prolonged my symptoms and at times made them worse. This treatment also put me on the defensive and fueled my anger due to invalidation. The VA not only provides medical attention to veterans, but they also provide both monetary and educational benefits to veterans that are service connected with disabilities. This duel relationship becomes intertwined because the VA puts pressure on medical providers to invalidate veteran's medical claims. This invalidation is an enormous strain on veterans and intensifies the transition process back into civilian life.
After my treatment ended, I was asked by a member of the VA's Center for Post Deployment Health and Education (CPHE) to develop a program that would help other veterans transition and recover from PTSD and substance abuse, from a veteran's point of view. I began developing my program and started it, in April of 2015. The program I put together lasted 22 weeks and included groups and one on one mentoring sessions under the supervision of licensed mental health practitioners. The program was a success, both veterans and VA Peer Specialists used the program to help veterans.
In all, I spent over 700 hours volunteering as a Recovery Coach at the Tampa VA so that I could obtain my State of Florida Peer Specialist certification. After obtaining my certification In October of 2016, I begin working for the Society of St Vincent de Paul as a veteran Peer Mentor and Homeless Outreach Specialist. 90 percent of my time I spent calling shelters, walking in the woods with local law enforcement, and combing streets to find homeless veterans. During this time, I learned more about people in their raw environment and why they walked away from society.
After hundrends of conversations with veterans, I was told the same thing over and over; the veteran community has difficulty working with and expressing themselves to individuals who have not been in the military. For that reason, my short-term goal is helping people understand the complexity of the veteran culture, and how to engage veterans. My long-term goal, or my five-year plan, is to earn my master's degree in psychology and obtain my state of Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) licensure. Once my LMHC licensure is received, I have aspirations to open a mental health clinic for veterans and their families fully staffed with Peer Specialists, physical therapists, and psychologists that are veterans.
My clinic will start with The Collaborative Family
Post Deployment and Transitional program for Veterans. This program is a 24-week educational program designed for veterans, their caregivers or spouses. There is no psychotherapy, psychiatric models or diagnostic criteria in this program. It aims to empower veterans by identifying their strengths, support systems, resources, and skills. This program prepares veterans for specialized therapy, such as prolonged exposure therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy by a licensed mental health professional that will be overseeing the clinic. To successfully engage veterans in their treatment, Peer Support Specialists will promote recovery by sharing their own recovery stories.
How the Program works
1. the initial interview will be with the veteran’s caregiver or spouse, and veteran if possible,
why?
The success of this program relies upon the collaboration of the family and the veteran. For this reason, caregivers or spouses will be educated about the program and its goals. This interview is the most important part of the program, the caregiver or spouse and Veteran must understand this program is in-depth, and requires an obligation to participate.
2. One on one interviews with the caregiver or spouse, clinician and Peer Specialist will take place first,
why?
It is important to understand who the veteran is and what he or she is going through on a daily basis, how the veteran has changed over time, and the concerns of the caregiver or spouse to create a baseline of the veteran’s behavior.
3. The caregiver or spouse will be required to attend groups with their veterans,
why?
It’s imperative that the caregiver or spouse is educated about military culture so they understand why veterans are the way they are.
4. The veteran will need to make up all missed groups to complete the program.
Why?
To keep veteran's on track with the program, it’s important for the veteran to process the information from each group one at a time, the content is designed to trigger memories and emotions, that has to be talked about before a new group subject.
5. Interview with caregiver or spouse and Veteran by the Peer Specialist every four weeks.
Why?
Because the success of this program relies upon the collaboration of all parties involved and it is imperative that the progress of the veteran is closely monitored and documented.
6. There will be a monthly maintenance group held for veterans and their caregiver or spouses.
Why?
Because It’s important for the veterans and their caregiver or spouses to have an open place to come if they are in need; this also shows all parties involved they are not forgotten and will always have the support of the clinic.
This clinic is not a replacement for the VA's mental care health system, It's a place were veterans and their families can go to feel a sense of belonging and understanding when they need a subjective, holistic approach without apprehension or speculation.
Thank you for your time and God Bless America.
Respectfully, Sergeant Brian Shawn Ellis, CRPS
Much like many other veterans, I was compelled to join the military after the September 11th attacks on New York and the Pentagon. On December 20th, 2001, I proudly raised my right hand and enlisted. I took part in the Invasion of Iraq as an Infantrymen, In Afghanistan, I flew in the back of Blackhawk helicopters as a crew chief running medevac missions. Although I finished my deployments, I returned home lost and physically broken. I suffered from extreme chronic pain and symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that caused bouts of alcoholism, isolation, and self-destruction.
Like many veterans, I went to my local Veterans Administration (VA) for care, the VA did an excellent job of helping me become whole again. However, this was not easy, I had to prove to the VA that I needed help and was not there just to obtain benefits. Although this process protects the VA, it prolonged my symptoms and at times made them worse. This treatment also put me on the defensive and fueled my anger due to invalidation. The VA not only provides medical attention to veterans, but they also provide both monetary and educational benefits to veterans that are service connected with disabilities. This duel relationship becomes intertwined because the VA puts pressure on medical providers to invalidate veteran's medical claims. This invalidation is an enormous strain on veterans and intensifies the transition process back into civilian life.
After my treatment ended, I was asked by a member of the VA's Center for Post Deployment Health and Education (CPHE) to develop a program that would help other veterans transition and recover from PTSD and substance abuse, from a veteran's point of view. I began developing my program and started it, in April of 2015. The program I put together lasted 22 weeks and included groups and one on one mentoring sessions under the supervision of licensed mental health practitioners. The program was a success, both veterans and VA Peer Specialists used the program to help veterans.
In all, I spent over 700 hours volunteering as a Recovery Coach at the Tampa VA so that I could obtain my State of Florida Peer Specialist certification. After obtaining my certification In October of 2016, I begin working for the Society of St Vincent de Paul as a veteran Peer Mentor and Homeless Outreach Specialist. 90 percent of my time I spent calling shelters, walking in the woods with local law enforcement, and combing streets to find homeless veterans. During this time, I learned more about people in their raw environment and why they walked away from society.
After hundrends of conversations with veterans, I was told the same thing over and over; the veteran community has difficulty working with and expressing themselves to individuals who have not been in the military. For that reason, my short-term goal is helping people understand the complexity of the veteran culture, and how to engage veterans. My long-term goal, or my five-year plan, is to earn my master's degree in psychology and obtain my state of Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) licensure. Once my LMHC licensure is received, I have aspirations to open a mental health clinic for veterans and their families fully staffed with Peer Specialists, physical therapists, and psychologists that are veterans.
My clinic will start with The Collaborative Family
Post Deployment and Transitional program for Veterans. This program is a 24-week educational program designed for veterans, their caregivers or spouses. There is no psychotherapy, psychiatric models or diagnostic criteria in this program. It aims to empower veterans by identifying their strengths, support systems, resources, and skills. This program prepares veterans for specialized therapy, such as prolonged exposure therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy by a licensed mental health professional that will be overseeing the clinic. To successfully engage veterans in their treatment, Peer Support Specialists will promote recovery by sharing their own recovery stories.
How the Program works
1. the initial interview will be with the veteran’s caregiver or spouse, and veteran if possible,
why?
The success of this program relies upon the collaboration of the family and the veteran. For this reason, caregivers or spouses will be educated about the program and its goals. This interview is the most important part of the program, the caregiver or spouse and Veteran must understand this program is in-depth, and requires an obligation to participate.
2. One on one interviews with the caregiver or spouse, clinician and Peer Specialist will take place first,
why?
It is important to understand who the veteran is and what he or she is going through on a daily basis, how the veteran has changed over time, and the concerns of the caregiver or spouse to create a baseline of the veteran’s behavior.
3. The caregiver or spouse will be required to attend groups with their veterans,
why?
It’s imperative that the caregiver or spouse is educated about military culture so they understand why veterans are the way they are.
4. The veteran will need to make up all missed groups to complete the program.
Why?
To keep veteran's on track with the program, it’s important for the veteran to process the information from each group one at a time, the content is designed to trigger memories and emotions, that has to be talked about before a new group subject.
5. Interview with caregiver or spouse and Veteran by the Peer Specialist every four weeks.
Why?
Because the success of this program relies upon the collaboration of all parties involved and it is imperative that the progress of the veteran is closely monitored and documented.
6. There will be a monthly maintenance group held for veterans and their caregiver or spouses.
Why?
Because It’s important for the veterans and their caregiver or spouses to have an open place to come if they are in need; this also shows all parties involved they are not forgotten and will always have the support of the clinic.
This clinic is not a replacement for the VA's mental care health system, It's a place were veterans and their families can go to feel a sense of belonging and understanding when they need a subjective, holistic approach without apprehension or speculation.
Thank you for your time and God Bless America.
Respectfully, Sergeant Brian Shawn Ellis, CRPS
Organizer
Brian Ellis
Organizer
Valrico, FL
