Volunteer Therapists Aid War-Stressed Families and Partners of Soldiers

The Other Wounded
Volunteer Therapists Aid War-Stressed Families and Partners of Soldiers

By Sandra G. Boodman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 6, 2007; Page HE01

They are the other casualties of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan: spouses -- mostly wives -- of military personnel as well as their children, parents and even siblings struggling with the fear that accompanies combat separations or the wrenching readjustment that often marks the return home. Some are troops themselves, home for good or for a while between deployments, trying to cope with depression, anxiety, alcoholism or reentry.

Pincered by financial concerns and worries that seeking psychological counseling, especially through official channels, could jeopardize a loved one's military career, many relatives are reluctant to seek help. Others don't know where to find it.

Now a new nonprofit group called Give an Hour, launched by Washington area clinical psychologist Barbara V. Romberg, is providing free counseling for soldiers and their families, as well as their unmarried partners. More than 720 licensed psychologists, social workers and other counselors from 40 states and the District have volunteered to donate an hour a week of therapy time for a minimum of one year to those affected by the twin conflicts.

So far about 50 clients, including one soldier on active duty in Iraq, have contacted the program to find a therapist -- a trickle Romberg hopes will turn into a steady stream as word of the program spreads.
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