Alice

My name is Alice. I was a Chaplain's assistant in the Army from 1976-1980. What got me here was a long journey of hidden pain. I had a painful experience while stationed in Germany. I spent seventeen years trying to forget it and had some success as far as college and work. In 1987 I became severely depressed and went for help. Although they tried to help me and wanted to work on my traumas, they weren't trained to deal with women in non-combat trauma situations. So I left treatment and took a 30-day alcohol program. I then spent 17 more years trying to work, failing at love and hiding my fears behind alcohol.

When I arrived at Menlo Park, I thought I was here for alcohol rehab. The screening team helped me talk about my pain and started me on a new journey. After 51 days of alcohol treatment, I came to the PTSD Women's Trauma Unit. My life will never be the same. What I have been given here at the WTRP is not a miracle cure. Instead, they gave me tools of recovery. The cognitive behavior therapy is no joke, so don't come unless you are ready to change.

There are many different therapy classes here. We also receive Stress Management and spiritual guidance. My favorite classes are Seeking Safety and Communication Skills. I have grown emotionally and have learned much about myself and reacquired the courage I've always had to deal with fears, anxiety, and my past-one day at a time. Facing the reality of my past and the hope I feel each day in the present makes me believe that my future will be a new road worth taking.


If you are looking for hope, it is here.