military / DEPLOYMENT

                  "War is life multiplied by some number that no one has ever heard of." 

                                                                               -Sebastian Junger, War

The experience of living or working in an area with armed conflict leaves its mark. In the Washington metropolitan area there are many people with varied backgrounds who have deployment-related experience. I have worked with a wide range of personnel who have served in austere and unsafe environments including active duty military, veterans, Department of State personnel, members of the intelligence community, and journalists covering international conflict. 

Upon coming home, many struggle with what are called the "invisible injuries of war." These may include:

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Social Isolation
• Sexual Dysfunction
• Moral Injury

As hard as these issues can be to address under normal circumstances, some report it can be more difficult to talk about these experiences with others unfamiliar with combat, deployment, or the military. 

For almost fourteen years, I worked in the Military Healthcare System helping people who grapple with these unique post-deployment challenges as they returned to their professional and personal lives. I also worked with people who sustained catastrophic physical injuries in combat, helping them adjust to lifelong disabilities and a major shift in functioning and life goals.  

I feel committed to addressing the needs of people whose wounds and recovery outlast their service.