Gun Violence and combat trauma
Trauma-informed Therapy for Combat Trauma and Gun Violence
Combat trauma refers to the psychological and emotional distress resulting from exposure to life-threatening situations and intense combat experiences during military service. It encompasses a range of responses, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Combat trauma can result from witnessing death, suffering injuries, losing comrades, or being in constant danger, and it often leads to lasting effects on an individual’s mental and emotional well-being. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, and difficulty reintegrating into civilian life.
Now the Darkness Got a Hold on Me
Trauma changes the way that you see the world around you. When working within the occupational trauma of combat, military, police or gun violence there can be a lot of stigma associated with your PTSD symptoms.
gabor Mate
Trauma is not what happens to you; trauma is what happens inside of you as a result of what happens to you
The Gun Violence Support Group
This support group is specifically designed for veterans, active military personnel, armed service men, police force and individuals who have experienced gun violence and combat trauma. Combat trauma encompasses the psychological and emotional distress resulting from life-threatening situations, intense combat experiences, and the challenges of military service. Members may face conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and other trauma-related responses.
The group provides a safe, respectful, and confidential environment where members can share their experiences, express emotions, and connect with others who understand the unique challenges they face. The goal is to offer support, coping strategies, and a sense of community to help members process trauma, alleviate symptoms, and successfully reintegrate into civilian life
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Many who suffer from combat trauma relive distressing events through intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks. These experiences can feel vivid and real, leading to intense emotional and physical reactions, such as sweating, rapid heartbeat, or even feelings of panic.
Individuals may feel constantly on edge or watchful, even in safe environments. Everyday sounds or sights might trigger exaggerated startle responses, leading to a state of perpetual alertness. This “fight-or-flight” state can become exhausting and impacts the ability to relax.
Those affected by combat trauma often avoid places, people, or activities that remind them of their traumatic experiences. They may isolate themselves from friends and family or withdraw from social situations, leading to loneliness and isolation.
Combat trauma can cause a numbing of emotions. People may feel detached, unable to experience positive emotions, or report feeling “empty” or “numb.” This emotional numbness can strain relationships and reduce a person’s overall sense of well-being.
Chronic fatigue, headaches, and stomach problems are common physical manifestations of combat trauma. Individuals may also experience anxiety, irritability, or intense anger, sometimes directed at loved ones or themselves.
To cope with symptoms, some may turn to alcohol, drugs, or risky behaviors as a form of self-medication. While these may provide temporary relief, they often worsen symptoms and create additional challenges.
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Reclaim Your Identity Beyond Combat
Combat changes people. It carves new depths into the soul, leaving marks that are often invisible to everyone else but painfully real to those who bear them. Coming back from combat, you’re expected to reintegrate—to fit back into the roles and spaces you left behind, as if you could slip back seamlessly. But the truth is, no one comes home exactly as they left. In the quiet of post-combat life, the question looms larger: Who am I now?
Join Our Combat and Gun Violence Program
If you have a history of combat trauma and gun violence you may qualify for free therapy with one of our sponsors.
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Five Individual Sessions
Participate in at least five individual sessions with one of our trauma-informed therapists.
Choose from a variety of trauma-informed therapies for PTSD and Trauma:
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Group Therapy
Join our combat and gun violence group.
For many, the hardest part of coming back from combat is letting go of the “soldier” identity, an identity that was once a source of pride and meaning. After years of relying on structure, order, and purpose, it’s unsettling to lose that. But you aren’t just that. You were more than a uniform before, and you are still more than your trauma now. Realizing this is the first step to reclaiming yourself beyond the experiences of combat.
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Join Our Colorado Retreat
Join us together as a group in Colorado Rockies to graduate from our healing program.
Finding yourself after combat trauma isn’t about erasing the past; it’s about integrating it. The trauma you experienced is part of you now, but it doesn’t have to define you. Facing the shadow side of your experience—the memories, the pain, the changes you didn’t choose—is painful, but it’s also healing. As you allow yourself to confront what happened, you’re also allowing yourself the space to grow around it.