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Troy said:
VA counseling... ugh ... thot scares me more than combat.

I go to VA for some body parts but they've almost killed me couple of times with their inexperience and incompetence. They are well meaning now, but if I really get sick, take me far far away.

I appreciate your remarks about sharing with newer vets... you are probably right. And I do want to help other vets in any way I can .... whew... if VA is the only way.... ugh... maybe some other way as well.

Tough... I dunno about that either ... just another pilgrim walking along the road, and I appreciate your walking with me.

T.

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Troy--
I don't see most of the VA as even being "well meaning."
Maybe somewhere there are one or two real professionals who act like professionals and treat us veterans with respect, but...the odds are not good, especially in psychiatry/psychology, where they can't take xrays or do a blood test to find the problem and fix it. I don't know why so many unprofessional and unethical employees in caregiving professions are attracted to the VA. Disturbing.

Personally, I will never use a VA, even if I have no health insurance in the future. It's out of safety and out of protest at the disgusting way they usually conduct business. Unfortunately, many vets, especially returning vets, with no job, or a job with little to none in the way of healthcare, have little choice.

My buddy went to a PTSD group just last year. The "PTSD Coordinator" who ran his group, was not only condescending, but she was trying out her research on the group, to see if her unproven way of PTSD group therapy would work to provide "support" for her soapbox stand. They all left the group before within a few sessions, disgusted and frustrated. The woman had obviously not one ounce of common sense, and zero in ability to work with vets with PTSD. I'd laugh if it was actually funny, but rather I find myself disgusted...I get too hostile if I think about it too much how we are treated there too much.

I see a private psychologist who I have real respect for, and I got real lucky boy I'll tell you. It WAS a leap of faith, and I'm happy I made it.
I understand not wanting to open up a can of worms with someone who might not know what they are doing...it's definitely tough to make the blind leap. I do think you'd be helpful if you only went to the VA for PTSD group, because so many younger vets are wandering around out there lost, and really appreciate the support from the vets of prior wars.