The War Within: Specialized Counseling for Veteran and Service-Related Trauma
The transition from the battlefield to the home front is rarely a simple walk-off. For many veterans and active-duty service members, the “mission” may have ended, but the nervous system remains on high alert. The skills that kept you alive in a theater of war—hypervigilance, emotional suppression, and constant scanning for threats—can become the very things that make civilian life feel impossible.
At Cedar Tree Counseling of Oklahoma, we don’t just see a diagnosis; we see a person who has carried an extraordinary burden. We offer specialized, trauma-informed care designed to help you process the invisible wounds of service and find a new mission: your own healing and peace.
Beyond PTSD: Understanding Service-Related Trauma
While Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a well-known term, service-related trauma is often more complex. Our therapists in Tulsa, OK are trained to address the multi-faceted nature of military-related distress:
1. Combat & Operational Stress (PTSD)
We provide evidence-based treatment for the classic symptoms of PTSD, including intrusive memories, night terrors, severe anxiety, and the “numbing” that occurs when the brain attempts to protect itself from overwhelming experiences.
2. Moral Injury: The Wound to the Soul
Distinct from PTSD, Moral Injury occurs when you witness or participate in acts that transgress your deeply held moral beliefs or expectations. This often manifests as profound shame, guilt, or a sense of “soul-loss.” We provide a safe, non-judgmental space to process these experiences and move toward self-forgiveness and reconstruction.
3. Identity & Transition Stress
Leaving the military isn’t just a career change; it’s an identity crisis. The loss of a clear chain of command, a defined mission, and a tight-knit “tribe” can lead to isolation and depression. We help veterans navigate the “liminal space” of civilian life, helping you translate your military strengths into a meaningful civilian identity.
4. Relational & Secondary Trauma
Service-related trauma doesn’t just affect the individual; it affects the whole family. We work with veterans and their partners to address the “emotional distance” that trauma creates, helping to rebuild intimacy and communication that may have been fractured by deployments or the “thousand-yard stare.”
Our Clinical Approach to Veteran Care
We move beyond “talk therapy” to address the physiological roots of trauma. Veterans often find that traditional talk therapy can be re-traumatizing; our methods are designed to heal without requiring you to relive every detail.
- Brainspotting & EMDR: These “bottom-up” modalities are exceptionally effective for veterans. They allow the brain to process traumatic data stored in the deep, subcortical regions where language cannot reach, effectively “resetting” the nervous system’s alarm response.
- Somatic Regulation: We teach you how to recognize and manage the physical “charge” of trauma in your body, giving you back the control that trauma took away.
- Cognitive Processing & ACT: We help you deconstruct the “military mindset” when it no longer serves you, replacing rigid survival scripts with flexible, value-driven living.
Why Choose Cedar Tree Counseling?
We understand the barriers to seeking help in the military community: the fear of appearing “weak,” the concern over “medboarding,” or the belief that no one will understand.
Our environment is one of confidentiality and clinical excellence. We honor the strength it takes to seek help, viewing it as the ultimate act of courage—the willingness to face the internal enemy with the same resolve you showed in service.
Reclaim the Peace You Fought For.
You’ve spent years looking out for others; it’s time to have someone look out for you. Whether you are dealing with combat trauma, moral injury, or the difficult transition to civilian life in Tulsa, OK, we are here to help you stand down from the fight. Contact Cedar Tree Counseling today to schedule your confidential appointment. We are honored to serve those who have served.