Military families carry unique therapy burdens — often invisible to civilian society but real and significant.
Therapy Challenges Unique to Military Families
- Deployment separation: Repeated separations create attachment disruption and anxiety for all family members
- Reintegration: Return from deployment requires major readjustment, often triggering therapy
- Frequent relocation: PCS moves disrupt social supports that protect against therapy
- Secondary trauma: Living with a service member with PTSD or therapy creates secondary psychological impact
Children in Military Families and Therapy
Military children are resilient but face significant therapy risks. School changes, parent absence, and exposure to parent's therapy all require specific support.
Resources for Military Family Therapy
Military OneSource, Military Family Life Counselors (MFLC), and installation behavioral health services provide free or low-cost therapy support for military families.