choose between‘ addressing their substance use and addressing their trauma’, putting mental health‘ on an equal footing’ with physical health. |
PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA The four pilot areas were selected‘ based on their existing psychological therapy provision’, including counsellors, mental health and wellbeing practitioners, explains Dr Claire Wyatt, WithYou’ s national psychology lead.‘ This enables us to offer specialist traumafocused therapy alongside existing support, in line with our stepped care model. Three EMDR-trained clinicians provide this specialist therapy across the four services, helping us build on existing resources and develop a sustainable approach to psychological support.’
WithYou recognises that psychological trauma can‘ have a significant impact on mental and physical wellbeing, relationships and substance use,’ she continues.‘ By offering evidencebased approaches including
EMDR in particular can‘ help people process traumatic experiences without necessarily having to describe them in detail’.
DR CLAIRE WYATT
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EMDR, trauma-focused CBT, cognitive processing therapy and compassion focused therapy, we can tailor treatment to individual needs rather than offering a onesize-fits-all approach.’
EMDR in particular can‘ help people process traumatic experiences without necessarily having to describe them in detail’, she explains, something that could be transformational for those who find talking about their experiences difficult or distressing.‘ Our aim is to make specialist psychological support more accessible as part of a holistic approach to recovery’, she states.
BUILDING TRUST Several studies have concluded that veteran-specific – rather than generic – services are far more likely to be successful for this treatment population, as it can take a long time to build up the necessary amount of trust. It can also help if the counsellors have military experience themselves. Although the WithYou staff operating the new pilots don’ t have military backgrounds, they‘ do bring specialist expertise in trauma-focused therapy’, Wyatt explains, including a counselling psychologist with extensive professional experience supporting veterans and serving personnel within a national armed forces charity.‘ We understand the importance of building trust and establishing strong therapeutic relationships, and our clinicians are experienced in creating safe, compassionate environments where individuals feel understood, respected and supported.’
Is there also an element of family support?‘ Absolutely,’ she says.‘ The pilot is open to the wider armed forces community, including veterans, serving military personnel and family members of those currently serving, or who have previously served. We recognise that the psychological impact of military service can extend beyond the individual to their families.’
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EARLY INTERVENTION According to a 2025 finance and housing survey from the government’ s Office for Veterans’ Affairs, around one in 400 veterans said they were homeless, rough sleeping or living in a refuge for domestic abuse, while nine in 400 were living long-term with family or friends. Liverpool charity Tom Harrison House says that over recent months it has seen more and more people engaging with its reducing veteran homelessness project( THH-RVH).
Early intervention – reaching someone before crisis point – is vital, the organisation stresses.‘ Finding accommodation can be an important first step, but without addressing the underlying challenges that have contributed to homelessness or housing instability, it can be extremely difficult for someone to achieve lasting change,’ it says, with housing instability existing alongside substance issues, trauma, poor mental health, relationship breakdown, social isolation, financial difficulties and the challenges associated with the transition from military to civilian life.
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SUSTAINABLE MODEL The Rebuild Project was funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Trust, and while the new pilots aren’ t, they have been‘ made possible through the learning, research and positive outcomes generated by the Rebuild Project, alongside investment in EMDR training for three members of staff,’ says Wyatt.‘ This is an important step towards developing a sustainable model of traumafocused psychological support for the armed forces community, embedded within our existing services – rather than dependent on short-term project funding.’
Is there a sense that some of the issues people are struggling with might already have become ingrained before the transition to civilian life? The
forces have long had a really significant drinking culture, for example.‘ Alcohol has historically been embedded in military culture and for some people it becomes a coping mechanism long after service ends,’ says Craze.‘ When you combine that with stigma around seeking support, you get a group of people who often present late, in crisis, or not at all. Specialist support helps break down those barriers.’
It’ s important that veteran provision‘ recognises that military culture is different – and so is the way people seek help,’ he adds.‘ Veterans often avoid or delay asking for support, minimise their struggles, or feel they should“ just get on with it.” Our programme is designed to meet people where they are. Without judgement.’ DDN
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