Past Programs

The Institute for Military & Veteran Family Wellness has collaborated with providers, researchers and community partners to implement and test military and veteran programming. Programming supports the treatment, engagement and overall support of active duty, veterans, spouses and family members. Check out our current programs to learn more about active opportunities within the Institute.

Veteran Couples Connect

2018-2019

The Veteran Couples Connect (VCC) program was run within our Veteran Spouse Network, serving veteran and active duty couples in Central Texas where one or both individuals within the couple was experiencing PTSD. The program aimed to both reduce PTSD symptoms, and strengthen the relationship by providing couples with tools to shrink the impact PTSD has on their relationship. Using Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD (CBCT-PTSD), the VCC program served couples in a group setting, with five couples in each cohort. Through the 8-week program, couples received in-person group treatment from licensed clinicians. The program provided couples with an introduction to treatment, safety building, psycho-education about trauma and PTSD, and relationship strengthening skills. Program staff will evaluate the program to assess the intervention’s effectiveness and to improve programming for veteran couples in future cohorts.

Veteran Restore Program

Ascension Seton

2018-2019

The Veteran Restore Program, offered by Ascension Seton’s Veteran Intensive Outpatient Program worked with veterans to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The program was offered free of charge to veterans, using a model that responded to the physical and mental health needs of each individual by including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), group outings, and Resilient Yoga. The program helped individuals reclaim their life after trauma by retraining the mind and body to learn it is no longer in danger by incorporating the following:

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): The primary component of the Restore program. CPT is an evidenced based, time limited treatment that helps individuals examine their thoughts and challenge their beliefs about what happened so they can heal from trauma.

Resilient Yoga: Helps individuals regain control of their body and its fight or flight responses.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Provides individuals with tools to cope with and tolerate difficult emotions.

Resilience training and community outings: Will renew individuals ability to discover positive changes after trauma and feel comfortable in the world again.

Mastering Your Marriage

Taya and Chris Kyle Foundation

2017-2018

The UT Mastering Your Marriage project provided 21 veteran couples with marriage enrichment and support to address unique challenges they face in their relationship after military service. The project worked in partnership with the Taya Chris Kyle Foundation, and with the support of a Texas HHSC Veteran and Family Alliance grant.

The UT Mastering Your Marriage project provided 21 veteran couples with marriage enrichment and support to address the unique challenges faced in their relationship after military service. The project worked in partnership with the Taya Chris Kyle Foundation, and with the support of a Texas HHSC Veteran and Family Alliance grant. Throughout the project, staff developed and piloted a new curriculum, Mastering Your Marriage, that aimed to improve the quality of the couples’ relationship, including their communication, intimacy, conflict resolution, stress management, and managing symptoms of PTSD or a TBI, when present. The curriculum focused on both the veteran and the veteran spouse in providing tools for improving their relationships.

The UT-MYM program included a weekend Orientation Retreat followed by six months of marriage enrichment web-based curriculum delivered through a smart-phone app, online small group discussions, individualized follow-up phone calls, and a private Facebook group. The program culminated in a Capstone Retreat weekend to celebrate the couples’ hard work, and reinforce the curriculum content through in-person small and large group sessions. Program staff collected and applied evaluation data to improve ongoing programming for veteran couples in future cohorts.

Strong Families Moving Forward

The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Metrocare

2017-2018

Strong Families Moving Forward was implemented at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Metrocare with funding support from Metrocare and Texas HHSC Texas + Veteran Family Alliance. The program aimed to strengthen family members’ bonds, improve relationships within a supportive, family-focused atmosphere, and offer referrals for individualized mental health support.

Strong Families Moving Forward, was implemented at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Metrocare with funding support from Metrocare and Texas HHSC Texas + Veteran Family Alliance. The program aimed to strengthen family members’ bonds, improve relationships within a supportive, family-focused atmosphere, and offer referrals for individualized mental health support. The evaluation included client satisfaction questionnaires and analysis of clinical assessments administered to clients before and after the program as well as follow-up information collected six months after families completed the program to understand what gains they had made and what additional supports they may need moving forward.