Reclaiming Your Life After Service: Navigating PTSD and Trauma as a Veteran

Ashley Latendresse • March 28, 2025

Being a veteran means you’ve faced experiences that most people can only imagine. Your strength, dedication, and courage are truly remarkable. 


However, returning to civilian life can sometimes feel like stepping into a whole new battlefield, especially when grappling with PTSD and trauma. If you’re struggling to reclaim your life after service, remember, you’re not alone, and it’s absolutely okay to reach out for help.


At Embolden Mental Health and Psychotherapy, we recognize that navigating these challenges is no easy feat. Our mission is to support you in regaining control and finding peace in your life, one step at a time, through compassionate virtual therapy available across Ontario. Let’s embark on this journey together!


Understanding PTSD and Trauma in Veterans:


First off, let’s talk about what PTSD actually is. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. For veterans, this could be anything from combat situations, loss of comrades, or even non-combat-related incidents during service.


It’s more common than you might think, around 10% of veterans experience PTSDat some point, and that’s not even counting those who might struggle with related trauma but haven’t been formally diagnosed.


Signs of PTSD:


The signs can be subtle or glaring. You might find yourself grappling with flashbacks, haunted by nightmares, or tossing and turning at night. Perhaps you're always on edge, easily startled, or feeling emotionally numb.


Other signs of PTSD in veterans may include:

  • Trouble focusing 
  • Feeling irritable or having angry outbursts 
  • Avoiding anything that reminds you of the trauma 
  • Experiencing guilt or shame 
  • Forgetting things more often 
  • Physical issues like headaches or stomach problems


PTSD can make day-to-day life feel like walking through a minefield, where any small trigger could send you spiralling. Recognizing these signs is the first step to reclaiming your life and starting the journey toward healing.


The Journey to Reclaiming Your Life


The truth is, no one should have to go through this alone. Reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness, it’s a courageous step toward taking back control.


It’s completely normal to feel hesitant. Stigma around mental health can make it hard to ask for support, but remember, many veterans have walked thispath before you and found hope on the other side.


Therapy can be a lifeline. It’s not just about talking; it’s about learning to navigate the maze of your emotions, understanding your triggers, and developing coping strategies that work for you. The right therapist can help you unpack the heavy load you’ve been carrying and support you in finding a way to move forward.


Virtual Therapy as a Solution


You might be thinking, “But I’m not comfortable going to a therapy office, and I don’t have the time.” That’s where virtual therapy comes in. It’s therapy, but on your terms. You can join a session from the comfort of your home, your car, or anywhere you feel safe. It’s private, convenient, and flexible.


At Embolden Mental Health and Psychotherapy, we specialize in virtual therapy for veterans across Ontario. Our approach is tailored to your unique experiences. We use evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help you process trauma and manage symptoms. We’re here to help you find a path to recovery that feels right for you.


Coping Strategies for PTSD and Trauma


Not quite ready for therapy? While we highly encourage it, we understand that the decision takes time. In the meantime, here are several ways you can support yourself:


1. Build a Strong Support System

It can be incredibly healing to surround yourself with people who understand what you’re going through. This support can come from family, friends, or other veterans. Connecting with others who have had similar experiences can provide comfort and reduce feelings of isolation.


2. Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

Mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, and grounding techniques, can help you stay connected to the present moment and reduce anxiety. These practices can help calm your nervous system and provide a sense of control when emotions become overwhelming.


3. Establish a Daily Routine

Creating a structured daily routine can bring a sense of stability and normalcy to your life. Having regular activities planned out, whether it’s a morning walk, meals at set times, or scheduled relaxation, can provide a sense of predictability and help reduce anxiety.


4. Engage in Physical Activity

Exercise can have a powerful impact on mental health. It doesn’t have to be anything intense, even a daily walk, yoga, or light stretching can release endorphins that improve mood and reduce stress. Finding an activity you enjoy and making it part of your routine can make a big difference.


Reconnecting with Your Identity Beyond Service


It’s also important to remember that you’re more than your service. You have passions, interests, and a vibrant life waiting beyond the uniform. Reconnecting with those parts of yourself can be incredibly healing. Maybe you loved art, music, or hiking before service. Rediscover those activities.


Finding a new purpose is another crucial step. Whether it’s volunteering, mentoring other veterans, or picking up a new hobby, having something to focus on can provide a new sense of direction. And don’t underestimate the therapeutic power of sharing your story. Speaking with others who’ve been through similar experiences can be a powerful way to process your own journey.


How to Get Started with Therapy


Starting therapy can feel intimidating, but you don’t have to jump in all at once. It’s okay to have questions, concerns, and even doubts. At Embolden Mental Health and Psychotherapy, we’re here to answer those questions and guide you through the process.


Our first session is all about getting to know you, no pressure, no judgment. We’ll talk about what’s been going on, what your goals are, and how we can work together to help you get there. It’s a team effort, and you’re in the driver’s seat.


Conclusion


Reclaiming your life after service isn’t an easy journey, but it’s a journey worth taking. You’ve already shown incredible strength in serving your country. Now, it’s time to show that strength in reclaiming your peace and joy. If you’re ready to take the first step, we’re here to walk beside you every step of the way.


Thank you for your service, and for your bravery, both on the field and in seeking help. If you’re ready to start, reach out to us at Embolden Mental Health and Psychotherapy. We’re here to help you reclaim your life, one day at a time.


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May is a heavy month for me. It’s been one year since I lost my dog, Grover: my soul dog, my best friend, my quiet, steady companion. Even now, saying that out loud doesn’t feel real. Some days, it feels like he was just here. Other days, it feels like he’s been gone forever. That’s the thing about grief. It bends time, plays tricks on your memory, and shows up when you least expect it. I’m a therapist. I spend much of my time holding space for grief, sitting with clients as they navigate loss, uncertainty, and the quiet ache that follows. But today, I’m not writing as a therapist. I’m writing as a person who has loved and lost, hard. I still miss the sound of his paws padding behind me. His raspy voice would always let me know when it was time for breakfast, dinner, or treats. He never let me forget when it was time for a walk. Even if I was in the middle of a session, he made his presence known. Everything in my life had a place for him. I used to sleep half-hanging off the edge of my king-sized bed so he could sprawl comfortably. His seat in the car was always ready. He had weekly hangouts with his little buddies, a non-negotiable part of the calendar. He was my constant. My co-pilot. The center of my routine. Grover wasn’t “just a dog.” He was with me through it all: the heartaches, the joys, the seasons of growth, and the ones that felt impossible to get through. He was my grounding presence in the chaos, the one who sat beside me in the quiet moments, the one who always seemed to know when I needed him near. He never spoke a word, but he offered the most honest companionship I’ve ever known. His love was unconditional, and so was mine. That kind of understanding, quiet, steady, and wordless, is rare. And it’s something I will always hold sacred. That’s the complexity of pet grief. It’s the loss of a companion, a part of your everyday. It’s missing someone you never had a conversation with, yet who somehow knew you better than most. It’s the ache of empty routines and the absence felt in all the small, ordinary spaces they used to fill. Grieving a pet is its own kind of grief. It’s deep and real, but often silent and unacknowledged. But if you’ve ever loved a pet the way I loved Grover, you understand it’s never “just” anything. It’s woven into your life. It’s the daily rituals, the quiet comfort, the way their presence makes the world feel more manageable and less alone. And grief itself is not tidy. It doesn’t follow rules or move in neat, predictable stages. It doesn’t politely excuse itself after a few months. It lingers. It shifts. Some days it softens. Other days, it cuts unexpectedly. It’s disorienting, lonely, and deeply, achingly human. A year later, the grief has softened, but it hasn’t gone. It lives beside me now, the way Grover once did. It doesn’t interrupt my days the way it used to, but it still finds me, especially in the quiet moments. And with that ache, there’s also something else: gratitude. A deep, full-body kind of appreciation for the bond we shared. A connection so rich that its absence will forever leave an imprint. I’m writing this not just for me, but for you, if you’ve lost someone. A pet, a person, a part of yourself. Loss is loss. And grief can feel unbearably lonely, especially when the world moves on and yours has stopped. So here’s a space for the ache. For the love. For the messiness. For the gratitude. Because what lives alongside my grief is the honour of having loved someone so completely. If you’re in it, missing someone who mattered more than words can hold, I see you. I miss Grover every single day. And I am endlessly grateful I got to love him the way I did. This is grief. And this is love.
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