Should the VA have PTSD program for repairing, reestablishing, and rebuilding primary relationships after many years of destruction?

I'll do wet blanket duty on this one. The heart says yes, but these things get sideways real fast. First is the cost which means VA isn't getting more, hence any new initiative comes out of hide. Paying for something is way different than wanting something. What other services do you cut? Second is the boundaries. To what level? What is success? When to quit when pushing a rope. The list goes on. Third is Mission. It isn't the VA's job to take care of non Vets. It goes to the second thing in which money is provided for their mission and that's it. And lastly, since I was in nursing before engineering, is it worth saving? In the grand scheme many people try too long and hard to save something vs. moving on. You can't predict the result. I'd look for the providers to assess whether this dog will hunt or not. Being professionally pushed down a dead end path is another trauma stacked on the first one.

Interesting question with no simple answer. Even with answers, they'd point to more questions.

Unequivocally-yes. Marriage and Family Therapists have been arguing for years about the need for therapy specialists in family systems theory to be included on the interdisciplinary teams addressing PTSD. This should be a given in that the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has released a free app for smart phones callled “PTSD Family coach.” Some VA hospitals and clinics have hired MFTs who specialize in PTSD to work with those who have the diagnosis. I encourage those seeking this kind of therapy to seek out professionals through the VA or by doing a local search for clinicians who specialize in treating families affected by PTSD. I offer sliding scales and file Tricare. It is possible to ask the VA to refer you to a civilian who treats PTSD and have the VA pay for it but the referral must come through the VA. If you find a clinician ask the VA to refer you to that therapist. Good luck to all.

I work for the VA as most everyone here knows. I see families coming in everyday with their Veteran for counseling, whether it be PTSD, suicidal, relationship issues, etc. So I am confused by this one....sorry all!

Absolutely, there should be VA programs for this, PO3 Aaron Hassay . There should be far more expansive programs for families and primary relationships than there are. PTSD touches everyone around the sufferer, AND, sometimes those folks just cannot be of help without guidance, too. Everyone involved needs their own counseling space and one together, too... in my opinion. However, this is true of ALL relationships involving humans with or without PTSD. Life will hand us trauma no matter where we live, go, do.

I did not realize the VA didn't have PTSD family programs.

Are you going to the VA for PTSD?