About Today’s Guest: Dr. Craig J. Bryan, PsyD, ABPP, is a board-certified clinical psychologist in cognitive behavioral psychology, and is currently the Executive Director of the National Center for Veterans Studies at The University of Utah. Dr. Bryan received his PsyD in clinical psychology in 2006 from Baylor University, and completed his clinical psychology residency at theRead more about STMSS02 – Dr. Craig Bryan – National Center for Veteran Studies[…]
Read more STMSS02 – Dr. Craig Bryan – National Center for Veteran StudiesAre You A Veteran, Care For One, or Work With One in Any Way?
If you served in the military, regardless of when, where, how long, or how you left, you’re a member of a unique group of individuals who hold a common set of values, like Honor. Integrity. Loyalty. Service. If you’re a family member of a service member…spouse, parent, sibling, significant other…then you served in a different way, but served all the same. Head Space and Timing is focused on providing veterans, their family members, and interested members of the veteran’s community with the awareness around all aspects of veteran mental health. Our intent is not only to have real and meaningful discussions about mental health and wellness, but to support and inspire veterans to be able to use the strengths they gained while they were in the military to make a positive impact on their community, in whatever way they want.
Mental Health from a Combat Veteran Perspective
The unique combination of 22 years of military experience and training as a clinical mental health counselor combine to provide a unique perspective on veteran mental health
Duane France (Now)
Licensed Professional Counselor
Duane France (Then)
Retired Army Noncommissioned Officer
Feedback on Head Space and Timing
Check out what people are saying about Head Space and Timing content
Jane S.
This Book is Incredibly Useful
Duane's understanding of the combat veteran experience is unparalleled. He does not however, assume that all vets or their experiences are the same, which is what makes this book so helpful to me as a provider who sees combat veterans in my work with horses. As a civilian, I am always hungry for resources that help me understand what's behind and beneath what we hear from veterans we meet, as well as resources to offer vets who see themselves as 'crazy'. This book is incredibly useful on both accounts. The distinctions Duane makes for vets to help them understand the dilemmas they may face coming home, as well as the distinctions he makes among the various 'categories' that define their inner landscapes are bound to help almost any veteran at any stage of readjustment to civilian life. The book is both a map and a compass (i.e. it's impossible to know how to get where one wants to go unless one knows where he or she is at any point in time). Another aspect of the book that is really important to us in our work, is that it de-stigmatizes the need for veterans to attend to their mental health. Going from the notion of mental illness to mental well-being is one of the biggest challenges both veterans and civilians need to do if veterans are going to become assets to their communities...and if we are going to fulfill our responsibility to truly serve those who have served us.
Joe M.
An Outstanding Read
Duane France is authentic. A combat veteran and clinical mental health counselor with a striking ability to articulate the thoughts of veterans. Several passages in this book are simply outstanding including Meaning, Purpose, and Veteran Mental Health; Moral Injury; The Doomsday Clock; Compliment or Criticism to name a few. Duane keeps things interesting throughout the book - some passages are contemplative, some have a twist of humor, and some contain good rules to live by as one transitions from the military. Duane’s authenticity is on display throughout the book, and it’s unmistakable to veterans in the following lines: 1. The problem is, a lot of the veterans I meet are carrying a load of personal accountability that is greater than they should. 2. As boring as this is, at least it’s not the sheer utter boredom of being stuck on an outpost with nothing but a pack of cards. 3. We keep thinking that someone is going to walk into their office and say, “Ha! Caught you! I know you’re just a grunt at heart! What are you doing here?” For mental health professionals who work with veterans the passage Eight Things a Mental Health Professional Wants a Veteran to Know is an insightful read and should be thoughtfully considered.
Daniele L.
A Veteran's Capacity for Stress
Fantastic explanation of how stress is affecting us without our awareness. I am a crisis counselor, working in the community with a multitude of different people, and I have found that my "emotional bucket" analogy to explain how stress/emotions can get backed up is effective across the age group. I have wrapped myself in circles trying to explain emotions to a rational person and all it does is agitate them further. What I have learned though is that awareness of our level of stress is paramount, because regardless of what we choose to believe we can handle our bodies cannot, leading individuals to be more susceptible to experiencing trauma, developing PTSD, increased risk from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, addiction... the list goes on and on. So while many people, especially Veterans, are able to push through and move on, in the long run, without the awareness of our emotional buckets, this can be damaging physically, mentally, and emotionally. Great article.
Latest Content
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Jan, 13
STMSS01 – Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen – PREVENTS Task Force
About Today’s Guest: Barbara Van Dahlen, Ph.D., named to TIME magazine’s 2012 list of the 100 most influential people in the world, is the president of Give an Hour. A licensed clinical psychologist who has been practicing in the Washington, D.C., area for over 20 years, she received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from theRead more about STMSS01 – Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen – PREVENTS Task Force[…]
Read more STMSS01 – Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen – PREVENTS Task Force -
Jan, 12
Introduction: Seeking the Military Suicide Solution Podcast
About The Show Hosts: Duane France, MA, MBA, LPC is the Director of Veteran Services for the Family Care Center, a private mental health clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is also the Executive Director of the Colorado Veterans Health and Wellness Agency, a 501(c)3 nonprofit professionally affiliated with the Family Care Center. Upon retiringRead more about Introduction: Seeking the Military Suicide Solution Podcast[…]
Read more Introduction: Seeking the Military Suicide Solution PodcastJan, 1
Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Going
With a post published on 1 January 2020, you would expect this to be about the past. And it is. You might also expect it to be about the future, and it is that too. Several weeks ago, a new colleague turned to me during a break at an event and asked me, “So howRead more about Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Going[…]
Read more Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Going -
Dec, 28
Book Announcement: Military in the Rear View Mirror
When a service member leaves the military, they are leaving a unique way of life. Whether it’s the early mornings, the time away from family, or simply the connection to other service members, the daily life of someone who served in the military is not common to those who never served. By any definition ofRead more about Book Announcement: Military in the Rear View Mirror[…]
Read more Book Announcement: Military in the Rear View MirrorDec, 20
Book Announcement: Military in the Rear View Mirror
On January 1st, 2020, the third Head Space and Timing Book, Military in the Rear View Mirror, will be released on Amazon. Along with Head Space and Timing, and Combat Vet Don’t Mean Crazy, Military in the Rear View Mirror is a compilation of articles focusing on veteran mental health and wellness in post-military life.Read more about Book Announcement: Military in the Rear View Mirror[…]
Read more Book Announcement: Military in the Rear View Mirror -
Dec, 11
Counseling Today Online Column: From Combat to Counseling: Veterans and the criminal justice system
Here’s the December 2019’s monthly column for Counseling Today, the official professional publication of the American Counseling Association. An important issue in mental health for the miltiary population is involvement in the criminal justice system. Service Members, veterans, their family members, and those who support them should understand whatRead more about Counseling Today Online Column: From Combat to Counseling: Veterans and the criminal justice system[…]
Read more Counseling Today Online Column: From Combat to Counseling: Veterans and the criminal justice systemDec, 4
The Responsibility Paradox
I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom. -Bob Dylan I had been in the Army for less than a day when I was given responsibility over something. A book, the basic information that a trainee needs to navigate initial training. It was my responsibilityRead more about The Responsibility Paradox[…]
Read more The Responsibility Paradox -
Nov, 27
Helping Veterans Reach Out For Help
A veteran you care about is hurting. Everyone can tell, it seems, but the veteran themselves. They’re withdrawing from others, speaking less, can’t seem to control their emotions. They’re anxious all the time, angry at little things, or constantly depressed. Maybe they’re drinking too much, or engaging in reckless and dangerous behavior. You’ve suggested thatRead more about Helping Veterans Reach Out For Help[…]
Read more Helping Veterans Reach Out For HelpNov, 20
Internal and External Characteristics of Military Culture
You can take the service member out of the military. It’s very hard to take the military out of the service member. It’s not that it can’t be done, only that it’s very difficult…and the service member may resist it kicking and screaming. When discussing the need to see military life as a separate culture,Read more about Internal and External Characteristics of Military Culture[…]
Read more Internal and External Characteristics of Military Culture