"The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Valley Cities is here to save lives, save families and save futures for individuals in the Tacoma area and throughout Washington state," said the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Valley Cities Clinic Outreach Manager, Shawn Durnen.

The company opened its newest clinic in Lakewood last month.

Having the ability to reach out and be heard can be invaluable, especially when you have sacrificed your life to military service or may still suffer from the effects of serving.

"Every day, many veterans and their families are living with the mental and physical scars from serving their country during military service. The Cohen Veterans Network, Inc., a not-for-profit, philanthropic organization, was created to serve them by providing high-quality, accessible, and integrated mental healthcare. Through our client-centered, customized outpatient care, we support veterans and their families as they begin their next mission: healthy and happy lives," according to the Cohen Veterans Network website.

The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Valley Cities provides its confidential, evidence-based, short-to-medium term therapy and counseling for post-9/11 veterans, regardless of discharge status, as well as for military family members and caretakers -- all regardless of the individual's ability to pay.

"Our mission as a nonprofit veterans care provider is to help local veterans and their loved ones overcome challenges they experience during or after the transition from military service back to civilian life," added Durnen.

Veterans are not the only ones who need help, though.

"Family members and caretakers of veterans can face difficult periods, too, and the Cohen Clinic at Valley Cities is here to treat them with low-to-no-cost individual adult therapy, adolescent therapy and even couples therapy," said Durnen. "Family members make up almost half of the client populations at the other 10 Cohen clinics across the country." 

This clinic comes at the perfect time as many clinicians are experiencing the demand for mental health services climbing to its highest ever.

According to a 2018 America's Mental Health study, nearly six in 10 Americans have sought or wanted to seek mental health services for either themselves or a loved one. In addition, nearly one-third of Americans have worried about others judging them for seeking mental health services.

"We are here to break down barriers of access while also reducing the stigma associated with mental healthcare," added Durnen. "If a veteran or a family member is in crisis, we will see them the same day."

Anyone who has served in the United States Armed Forces, regardless of role while in uniform, discharge status or combat experience is eligible for services, to include National Guard and Reserves, qualify to receive services from the clinic.

"Although we make a priority of serving post-9/11 veterans, our clinic will assess all veterans based on their specific needs," said Durnen. "We will make every effort to see pre-9/11 veterans who can be best served by our level of short-to-medium term outpatient care, based on our availability."

Family members are being encouraged to set up an appointment, too.

"Parents, siblings, spouses or partners, children, caregivers and other loved ones are eligible to receive our services," added Durnen. "We will never turn anyone away from care."

To learn more about The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Valley Cities, visit their website at valleycities.org/cohenclinic or join the conversation on social media on Facebook: @CohenClinicValleyCities and Twitter: @CohenClinicVC.

The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Valley Cities, 6103 Mt. Tacoma Dr. SW, Lakewood, 253.215.7070, or email: cohenclinic@valleycities.org