Military Counseling
In-person therapy in Charlotte, NC
Online therapy throughout NC, SC, and CO
Understanding Military Counseling
At Resilient Roots Counseling & Consulting, we understand that the experiences of military service—whether during active duty or in transition to civilian life—can have a profound impact on mental health and well-being.
The unique challenges faced by service members, veterans, and their families require a compassionate, tailored approach to counseling.
We recognize the strength, resilience, and sacrifices involved in military life, and we are committed to providing a safe, supportive space where you can address the emotional and psychological effects of your experiences. We work with issues such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, and the struggles that often accompany reintegration into civilian life.
We approach military counseling with respect, sensitivity, and an understanding of the unique culture, values, and experiences that come with military service. Our goal is to help you feel heard, understood, and empowered as you navigate challenges and work toward healing.
Some common issues in military counseling include:
PTSD and trauma from combat experiences
Difficulty adjusting to civilian life routines
Hypervigilance and constant alertness in safe environments
Relationship strain from deployment separations
Identity confusion after leaving military service
Anger management and explosive emotional reactions
Sleep disturbances and persistent nightmares
Survivor guilt from losing fellow service members
Family reintegration challenges after long deployments
Finding new purpose and meaning post-service
Therapy Can Help
We understand that military life involves unique stressors and experiences that can be difficult to navigate alone. Our goal is to provide compassionate, tailored support to help you heal, thrive, and regain balance.
We offer support in the following ways:
Trauma and PTSD Recovery - Process combat experiences and traumatic events using evidence-based treatments like CBT and EMDR to manage symptoms and reclaim your peace
Anxiety and Depression Management - Build coping strategies for deployment stress, reintegration challenges, and military culture pressures that contribute to emotional struggles
Family and Relationship Healing - Strengthen bonds strained by deployments and separations through specialized counseling that addresses military family dynamics
Civilian Life Transitions - Navigate the overwhelming shift from military to civilian life, finding new purpose, employment, and identity with confidence
Stress and Burnout Relief - Learn practical techniques to manage chronic stress, restore energy, and build sustainable resilience for long-term wellbeing
Our approach recognizes the unique culture, values, and experiences that come with military service, ensuring you feel understood and supported throughout your healing journey.
*Military members: while we do not take Tricare, discounts are available, and your privacy will always be respected. Natalie is in network with Optum VA.
Our Approach to Military Counseling
Natalie Thomas, LCSW, LISW-CP, ACS
Founder of Resilient Roots Counseling & Consulting
I take confidentiality extremely seriously—what we discuss stays between us, period. This commitment to privacy is fundamental to how I work with military clients.
I understand the legitimate concerns about how mental health treatment might impact military careers, security clearances, and professional advancement. These concerns keep many service members from seeking help, even within the VA system. I believe military members deserve better care, and I aim to provide exactly that.
As both a VA Community Care Provider and a Star Behavioral Health Provider, I understand military culture and the particular challenges that come with service. I've discovered that many military clients appreciate my direct, no-nonsense approach to therapy—I can be blunt and straight to the point. This authenticity often helps therapy feel more comfortable and relatable for service members who value straightforward communication.
Many appreciate that I don't waste time with lengthy processing sessions—we identify the problem and work on solutions. Charlie, my therapy dog, is also a big hit with military clients and adds a comforting presence to our sessions.
Whether you're dealing with trauma responses, anger management, or the difficult transition to civilian life, my goal is to provide effective support in a completely confidential environment that honors your service and helps you move forward with strength and resilience.
Reclaim Your Peace of Mind
What to Expect in Our Therapy Sessions
When working with us for military counseling, you can expect a direct, no-nonsense approach that respects your time, values your service, and maintains absolute confidentiality.
In our sessions, we'll work on:
Addressing PTSD, trauma, and anger using proven approaches
Developing practical coping strategies for real-world military situations
Processing military experiences without judgment or lengthy explanations
Building civilian transition and family reintegration skills effectively
Creating sustainable stress management techniques for your lifestyle
Maintaining complete confidentiality that protects your career advancement
You can expect straightforward communication, practical solutions, and respect for military culture and values. Charlie, my dog, will join us—many clients find his presence calming and grounding. My goal is to help you address your concerns efficiently and effectively, so you can get back to living your life with greater resilience and peace of mind.
Client Successes
"I'm thinking of one veteran I worked with who came to therapy feeling completely out of control. He was having explosive anger outbursts that were damaging his relationships and making him feel like a stranger to himself. He'd served multiple deployments but had never connected those traumatic memories to his current struggles with rage.
Building trust was crucial—like many military clients, he was initially skeptical about therapy. But once we established rapport and he understood my direct approach, we were able to use EMDR to process the traumatic experiences that were still haunting him.
The transformation was remarkable. He reported fewer anger outbursts and, more importantly, could actually recognize when he was starting to feel agitated instead of going from zero to explosive. For the first time in years, he understood where those intense feelings were coming from and had the tools to manage them before they took over."
— Natalie Thomas, LCSW, LISW-CP, ACS
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You Served Your Country, Now Serve Yourself.
Stop carrying the weight of deployment experiences alone. You deserve effective, respectful treatment that honors your service and helps you reclaim your peace.
Frequently Asked
Questions
About Military Counseling
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Absolutely not. I maintain complete confidentiality about our sessions—what we discuss will never be reported to your command, appear in your military records, or impact your security clearance. I understand these legitimate concerns are what keep many service members from seeking help, even within the VA system. Your privacy is guaranteed, and I take this commitment extremely seriously. Mental health treatment is your personal business, period.
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Yes. I'm both a VA Community Care Provider and a Star Behavioral Health Provider, which means I've completed specialized training to understand military culture, deployment experiences, and the unique challenges service members face. I've worked with veterans dealing with combat trauma, transition difficulties, and military-specific stressors. My approach is direct and practical because I know you value straightforward communication and real solutions over lengthy processing sessions.
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Definitely. I work with active duty service members dealing with deployment stress, relationship strain, and military life pressures, as well as veterans navigating the challenging transition to civilian life. Whether you're struggling with finding new purpose after service, dealing with ongoing trauma responses, or managing the adjustment back to family life, I can provide targeted support for your specific situation.
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We use evidence-based approaches like EMDR specifically designed for processing trauma. EMDR helps reduce the impact of traumatic memories without requiring you to relive every detail repeatedly. Having a safe to listen to you and help you talk and process is also hugely beneficial.
Our goal is to help you regain control over trauma responses like hypervigilance, anger outbursts, and intrusive memories so they stop controlling your daily life.
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Many military clients tell me they've had frustrating experiences with therapists who didn't understand their background or spent too much time talking without offering practical solutions. My approach is different—I'm direct, solution-focused, and I understand the military mindset. We identify the problem and work on concrete strategies you can implement immediately.
I also use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which is a particularly powerful approach that has helped Vietnam veterans find peace after decades of carrying trauma. This method can be effective even when other therapies haven't worked because it processes trauma differently than traditional talk therapy. Plus, Charlie (my therapy dog) often joins sessions, which many military clients find calming and grounding.
Are You Ready to Get Support for Your Journey?
From the Blog
Posts on Military Topics
