Group helps soldiers when the military can’t

Group helps soldiers when the military can’t
SCOTT FONTAINE; The News Tribune • Published May 04, 2009


Tacoma – Service members contact Trisha Pearce in need of counseling. Spouses, girlfriends, boyfriends, relatives are welcome to get in touch with her, too. They may feel burnt out and worn down by the experience of fighting a war – or of loving someone who has.

But Pearce and her Puget Sound area organization are completely outside the military chain of command.


“By the time people call us,” the psychiatric nurse said, “they’ve already tried to get help elsewhere. Or they just want to be away from the whole military system. Whatever their reason, we get them help.”


It’s the work of Soldiers Project NW, a 14-month-old program that aims to help veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who, for whatever reason, aren’t comfortable using the numerous mental-health programs the military medical system provides.


Pearce asks for basic information and links the caller with a nearby therapist, who offers free sessions.


The military isn’t notified.


Pearce, who has 30 years experience in the mental health field, has been the project’s director for the past six months. She organizes meetings every few weeks to draw support from therapists across the area.


“I just think that we, as a community, need to get behind the military and help them out,” she said.


Forty-two therapists have signed up in Western Washington, but many are in the Seattle area. Pearce is from Stanwood.


More providers are needed in the South Sound area, Pearce said, where they can help service members from Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base. There are currently 11 providers in the South Sound.


Some patients have met regularly with their therapist for more than a year, while others show up for only one session. It’s not uncommon for a person to skip the first appointment with no explanation.


Only licensed therapists can offer services through the program, and meetings take place at a neutral site away from the service member’s installation.
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Group helps soldiers when the military cannot