“A lot of the veterans that [come to us] are on a lot of medications that literally confound
treatment,” Barclay remarked. “With all these different medications, it produces various side
effects…[so it is] difficult to determine ‘Are we treating side effects or are these actually
symptoms of a disorder?’ [Through our treatment] [w]e are actually able to remove the majority
of these medications, sometimes eliminate them totally, but at a minimum [we are] able to get
them on the least amount of medications necessary.”
Barclay asserts his program “is the only program to exist of its kind in the world.” He continues,
“[t]here are a lot of programs out there that provide mental health services to veterans, and they
are all very good organizations that provide needed levels of services, but what distinguishes us
from them is [that] our care is strictly clinical treatment and the intensity in which the treatment
is done [is higher.]”
Once participants finish the program, officials coordinate follow up care for up to a year with the
patient’s counselors, doctors and psychiatrists so they can maintain their new found emotional
and mental stability.
Currently, the only patients that receive treatment live in the Forrest, Va. area, but officials are
trying to raise $400,000 to build a housing facility to host patients that live across the country.
Fundraising efforts include partnering with additional veteran organizations, putting together
events and asking for donations.
Barclay asserts that the “common misconception about PTSD is that it is a lifelong illness.
[That] because you experience it, you are going to have it for the rest of your life…[w]hat we
know through research today is [that] PTSD is actually curable. The quicker we can discover it,
diagnose it and treat it, the better prognosis we have.
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