A Day in the Life of... Head Start Psychotherapist, Amos
In this interview we hear from Amos about the support he provides to WWTW clients.
Amos has been working
as a member of the Click Therapy team, delivering psychotherapy for WWTW since
2019. He delivers evidence-based therapy, via video, on evenings and weekends
to veterans and their families who may suffer with mental health problems.
What is the value of the support you provide?
Mental health disorders,
whether that is Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Depression, will
often limit our ability to fully live our lives. The value of evidence-based
psychotherapy is not just to help veterans deal with symptoms of anxiety and
depression or to deal with unpleasant memories but to reclaim their lives.
What does a typical session look like?
The initial session will involve
an in-depth assessment, to fully understand your life experiences and the
impact they may still be having on your life. We would discuss the most
appropriate evidence-based therapies and together decide on a specific course
of therapy with clear goals. The aim is often to provide a supportive
environment in which to help you to experience emotion and explore the meaning
behind stressful periods or incidents in your life, which are still having an
impact today.
Is it normal to be anxious about moving into civilian life?
Absolutely, there is a lot to think about during the transition into civilian life and we may face a number of uncertainties. However, whilst anxiety is normal and to be expected, it can be unpleasant and may get in the way of solving life’s problems. Psychotherapy has been proven to help; teaching the skills to manage anxiety and take a different, more balanced view on life’s problems. There is also help out there, people who understand the difficulties about the transition to civilian life and have an in depth understanding of housing, finance and employment. Just as when we served, don’t underestimate the importance of peer support; talk to people who have been through the transition.
And lastly, what’s the best bit of the job?
Having served for many years
in the Armed Forces I consider all veterans to be family and to have the
opportunity help them to overcome distressing symptoms and hear how they are
beginning to reclaim their life is very rewarding.
