Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, etc. Numerous research studies suggest that CBT leads to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life. CBT is an approach for which there is ample scientific evidence that the methods that have been developed actually produce change. [APA, 2019]

Prolonged Exposure Treatment (PET) is an intervention strategy commonly used in cognitive behavioral therapy to help individuals confront fears. Prolonged exposure is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches individuals to gradually approach trauma-related memories, feelings and situations. Most people want to avoid anything that reminds them of the trauma they experienced, but doing so reinforces their fear. By facing what has been avoided, a person can decrease symptoms of PTSD by actively learning that the trauma-related memories and cues are not dangerous and do not need to be avoided. This treatment is strongly recommended for the treatment of PTSD. [APA, 2019]

Individual therapy is available in a range of formats, from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to reality therapy / choice theory (RT/CT). Reality therapy teaches that while we cannot control how we feel, we can control how we think and behave. Like CBT, a main goal in reality therapy is to aid Veterans in gaining new perspectives and techniques that will help them to manage challenges on their own. [APA, 2019]

While group members are a valuable source of support, formal group therapy sessions offer benefits to Veterans beyond informal self-help and support groups. Group therapy sessions are led by one or more psychologists with specialized training, who teach our group of Veterans proven strategies for managing specific problems. [APA, 2019]

The medications conditionally recommended for the treatment of PTSD are sertraline, paroxetine, fluoxetine and venlafaxine. Each patient varies in their response and ability to tolerate a specific medication and dosage, so medications must be tailored to individual needs. The current evidence base for PTSD psychopharmacology is strongest for the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): sertraline, paroxetine and fluoxetine as well as the selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) venlafaxine. Currently only sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for PTSD. From the FDA perspective, all other medication uses are “off label” [APA, 2019]. At 21 Vets, our program aims to deliver patient-centered quality treatment plans that minimize the use of medications.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an individual therapy typically delivered one to two times per week. Unlike other treatments that focus on directly altering the emotions, thoughts and responses resulting from traumatic experiences, EMDR therapy focuses directly on the memory, and is intended to change the way that the memory is stored in the brain, thus reducing and eliminating the problematic symptoms. During EMDR therapy, clinical observations suggest that an accelerated learning process is stimulated by EMDR’s standardized procedures, which incorporate the use of eye movements and other forms of rhythmic left-right (bilateral) stimulation (e.g., tones or taps). While clients briefly focus on the trauma memory and simultaneously experience bilateral stimulation (BLS), the vividness and emotion of the memory are reduced. [APA, 2019]

Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is a treatment for trauma disorders, particularly in individuals suffering from complex and multiple trauma. With the guidance of the therapist, a patient establishes a chronological narrative of his or her life, concentrating mainly on their traumatic experiences, but also incorporating some positive events. By expressing the narrative, the patient fills in details of fragmentary memories and develops a coherent autobiographical story. In so doing, the memory of a traumatic episode is refined and understood. This treatment is conditionally recommended for the treatment of PTSD. [APA, 2019]

WHISKER WARRIORS is the Service Animal Program at 21 Vets.  A service animal is defined as ‘any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.’  WHISKER WARRIORS can provide a service animal to any Veteran enrolled in our program to assist in providing safety checks or room searches, turning on/off lights for the Veteran handler with Post Traumatic Stress, and even reminding the handler to take medicine. This program helps the individuals throughout the course of their day and enables them to gain a sense of control over their circumstances.

Visual arts therapy has proven to be significantly effective in alleviating symptoms of PTSD.  This program help the individuals become more mindful of their lives and enable them to gain a sense of control over their circumstances.  [APA, 2019]

Poetry and writing therapy is proven to be significantly effective in alleviating symptoms of depression. At 21 Vets, we have implemented the online forum, Combat Poetry, where all Veterans can post their original writings. These programs help the individuals become more mindful of their lives and enable them to gain a sense of control over their circumstances. [APA, 2019]

ROAD TO RECOVERY is a classic car rebuilding program at 21 Vets.  Auto repair and restoration is proven to be effective in alleviating symptoms of depression while providing the Veteran with a trade skill or enabling them to continue honing their skills.  At 21 Vets, every Veteran that works on one of these classic cars will sign the inside hood with a paint marker.  We will then sell each classic car at auction and all proceeds will be returned to 21 Vets to further help our most at-risk Veterans.