Therapy for Veterans & Active Duty: Navigating the Mission After the Mission

Culturally competent, evidence-based mental health care for those who have served, without the wait times or bureaucracy of the VA

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Specialized Support for Military Culture & Reintegration in Lake Oswego

Handling the transition from service to civilian life or managing the daily stressors of active-duty military culture—requires a therapist who "gets it." You deserve a space where you don't have to explain acronyms, deployment cycles, or the nuances of the "Warrior Ethos."

I provide culturally competent, evidence-based care tailored to the specific experiences of:

  • Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard members maintaining readiness.

  • Veterans & Intelligence Services navigating the "civilian world."

  • Special Operations Forces (SOF) requiring high-discretion, specialized support.

Care Beyond the VA System: Seeking care outside the Department of Veterans Affairs is a personal choice. My practice provides absolute privacy and rapid access, avoiding the administrative hurdles and permanent record-sharing often associated with larger government systems.

The Physiology of Service: Why Your Brain Won't "Switch Off"

Many Veterans struggle with Hypervigilance, that constant state of being "on guard." From a clinical perspective, this isn't a flaw; it was a highly adaptive survival skill.

When you are in a high-threat environment, your Sympathetic Nervous System (the gas pedal) stays floored. This releases a constant stream of adrenaline and cortisol. Over time, the "brakes"—your Parasympathetic Nervous System—can become less responsive. This leads to the classic symptoms of Combat Stress and PTS:

  • Scanning rooms for exits and threats.

  • Exaggerated startle responses to loud noises.

  • Difficulty sleeping or "winding down" at night.

  • Irritability and a "short fuse" with loved ones.

In our work, we don't just "talk about feelings." We use Nervous System Psychoeducation to help you physically recalibrate your body's alarm system, moving you from a state of survival back into a state of living.

Evidence-Based Treatment for PTS and Trauma

I utilize the Gold Standard therapies recommended by the VA and DoD clinical practice guidelines for military populations. My focus is on providing efficient, effective treatment with measurable results.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

CPT is a highly effective, time-limited approach. We identify "Stuck Points"—distressing beliefs created by trauma, such as "I am not safe anywhere" or "It was my fault." We work to challenge these thoughts, allowing you to reclaim your sense of safety and self-worth.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) for Moral Injury

Moral Injury is the deep sense of betrayal or "soul wound" that occurs when your core values are violated—whether by your own actions, the actions of others, or failed leadership. Using the IFS model, we view the mind as having various "parts" (e.g., the protector, the shamed part, the angry part). This non-pathologizing approach helps you access your Core Self, a state of clarity and compassion, to heal these burdened parts without the need for traditional "exposure" therapy.

Gestalt Therapy: Finding Your "Ground"

For Veterans who feel "numb" or disconnected, Gestalt therapy focuses on the here and now. We move past the stories of the past to help you regain awareness of your emotions and physical presence in the current moment.

Managing Transition Stress & Identity Loss

The "Warrior Ethos" doesn't just switch off when you hang up the uniform. The transition to civilian life can feel like a profound loss of Unit Cohesion and Mission Purpose.

I specialize in helping Veterans navigate:

  • Identity Loss: Who are you when you’re no longer [Rank] or [Specialty]?

  • Social Isolation: The difficulty of relating to civilians who haven't shared your experiences.

  • TBI & Mood Support: Managing the executive function challenges, irritability, and sleep disturbances often associated with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

My Commitment: Dedicated to the 1%

My commitment to the Veteran and First Responder community is personal. Coming from a long line of military veterans and currently serving as a USCG Auxiliary Volunteer, I recognize that your sacrifice deserves the highest standard of care.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oregon, and I’ve dedicated my practice to mastering the specific clinical needs of those who run toward the chaos. Whether you are in Lake Oswego, Portland, West Linn, or seeking Telehealth across Oregon, I am here to help you start your next mission.

Resources for Veterans

As part of my commitment to your well-being, I recommend the following high-authority resources for further education:

Start Your Healing Journey Today

Your service was complex; your mental health care shouldn't be. Take the next critical step toward renewed purpose and resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Absolutely. Your privacy is protected by law (HIPAA). I do not report to the VA, your chain of command, or your department. The only exceptions are if there is an immediate risk of harm to yourself or others.

  • Actually, it’s the opposite. Think of it like preventive maintenance for your gear. We focus on 'Functional Recovery', getting your sleep, your focus, and your nervous system back in peak condition so you’re sharper on the job and more present at home.

  • Yes. You don't have to 'police' your language or water down your stories here. I understand the dark humor, the high-stakes environment, and the toll of the uniform. You don't have to explain the job to me; we start working on Day 1.

  • No, private therapy is confidential and typically doesn't report to the VA unless you authorize it

  • Currently, I am an Out-of-Network provider and do not bill the VA or TriCare directly. However, many Veterans choose to see a private provider to ensure absolute privacy and to avoid the long wait times often found within the VA system.

    If you have a PPO insurance plan or a Health Savings Account (HSA/HSA), you may be eligible for reimbursement. I can provide you with a 'Superbill' (a detailed receipt) that you submit to your insurance to recoup a portion of the cost. This allows you to maintain a clinical record that is entirely separate from the VA system, giving you full control over your mental health data

  • No. We move at the speed of trust. While we will eventually address the experiences that are impacting your life today, our first priority is stabilization.

    In our initial sessions, we focus on 'tactical' improvements: getting your sleep back on track, managing hypervigilance, and lowering your baseline stress levels. You are in the driver's seat; you only share the details of your service or specific critical incidents when you feel equipped with the tools to process them safely. We aren't here to just 'relive' the past; we are here to make your present more manageable.

  • Venting to the people who 'get it' is vital for survival, but it usually only provides temporary relief. Therapy at Miles Ahead is different because it is functional and evidence-based.

    Think of 'venting' as clearing the exhaust; it helps the engine run for the day. Therapy is the preventive maintenance and recalibration of the engine itself. We use specific modalities like CBT and Nervous System Psychoeducation to actually rewire how your brain responds to triggers. Instead of just talking about the problem, we are identifying the physiological and cognitive 'glitches' caused by high-stakes work and fixing them so you don't have to carry the weight of the job home with you.

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