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Summer 2010,

To Whom It May Concern:

I feel I owe a great deal of gratitude to the Veterans Administration for providing the program, professionals, and staff that made my recent hospitalization the Sheridan VAMC possible. I’m also grateful to my wife for supporting me while I was an inpatient. But I’m writing this letter because I am grateful for the work of my case manager and Prolonged Exposure Therapist; Esther Diller.

This is an unsolicited letter of recommendation for my friend Esther Diller, and for Prolonged Exposure Therapy. Esther is a certified grief counselor as well as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker  at the Sheridan Wyoming Veterans Administration Medical Center. She is one of the few therapists considered by the Veterans Administration to be qualified to practice Prolonged Exposure Therapy.  She is continuing her training, sharpening her skills in PE. She worked with me from mid April until early July. During this time I was surprised on a regular basis with her unique and subtle insights. She not only knew what question to ask, she also knew just the right moment to ask. Very thought provoking.

 I didn’t like being away from home in a hospital setting; but Esther and PE can get results. And by results I’m talking about a significant reduction in the negative symptoms of chronic, war related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Here are a few that have bothered me over the last few decades:

  • Difficulty falling or staying asleep
  • Irritability or outbursts of anger
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Hyper vigilance (when others sleep I’m on guard)
  • Feeling that the future will be cut short
  • Guilt, shame, or self-blame
  • Feeling jumpy and easily startled
  • Suicidal thoughts and feelings
  • Feeling alienated and alone
  • Feelings of mistrust and betrayal
  • Headaches, stomach problems, chest pain

 

Am I cured of PTSD? I don’t think so. Have my symptoms disappeared? No. But are my symptoms more manageable? Oh yes. I feel unshackled in a way. I think my wife is pretty happy with the after hospitalization changes. This was not my first trip to the rodeo. But this is the most settled I’ve felt on return from treatment.

If you are interested in change: Check out Esther and PE. She earned my trust and my respect.

Andrew Wilson
utahvet@gmail.com
www.UtVet.com