The Veteran Resilience Project Helps Military Members, Veterans and Spouses

The Veteran Resil­ience Project (VRP), a Minnesota-based non-profit, provides access to Eye Move­ment Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment to service members, veterans, and their spouses suffering with Post Traumatic Stress symptoms.

VRP was estab­lished in 2015 by Elaine Wynne, MA, LP, Certified EMDR Therapist, after years of research showed the effectiveness of EMDR. Evidence showed that 100% of the Veterans who par­ticipated had a signif­icant decrease in their Post Traumatic Stress symptoms.

VRP organized a statewide network of mental health profes­sionals with expertise using EMDR therapy to treat Post Traumatic Stress, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Mil­itary Sexual Trauma, Moral Injury, Soldier Heart, Combat Stress, and all other after-ef­fects of war and mili­tary service.

VRP connects Veter­ans and military mem­bers to a VRP Network therapist and provides 12 free EMDR thera­py sessions, regardless of VA eligibility.

The theory behind EMDR is that bilateral stimulation can accel­erate the brain’s natu­ral healing process. By processing traumatic memories this way, individuals can reduce the emotional impact and intensity of their experiences.

Beyond PTSD, EMDR has shown promise in addressing anxiety, depression, phobias, and other mental health chal­lenges.

EMDR therapy is typically conducted by a trained therapist guiding the patient through a series of phases that identi­fy traumatic memo­ries, processes them through bilateral stim­ulation, and develops coping mechanisms. Many individuals re­port experiencing sig­nificant improvements in a relatively short timeframe.

It’s important to note that EMDR is a specialized therapy, and seeking guidance from a qualified men­tal health professional is crucial.

VRP continuously refers veterans, re­gardless of discharge status and active mil­itary, reserves, and National Guard to a statewide network of trained and accredited therapists who provide confidential EMDR therapy.

While EMDR has shown impressive re­sults, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Individual experienc­es and responses to therapy vary.

Jenna Graen, VRP Outreach Coordinator Northern MN, wrote, “VRP cares deeply about our mission of ‘We inspire lifelong change for Minneso­ta Veterans, Service Members and Spouses experiencing Trauma and PTS(D), by creat­ing access to effective therapy as a pathway to heal.’”

VRP has available a network of more than 50 therapists across Minnesota, including six in Duluth to re­spond quickly to cli­ents.

According to Graen, VRP pays for 12 free EMDR therapy ses­sions.

“The unique thing about our organization is that we are able to see Veterans regard­less of their VA eli­gibility or Discharge Status,” she wrote.

VRP and the Two Harbors American Le­gion are cohosting an informational event from 5pm to 8pm on Thursday, September 12th at American Le­gion Post 109, 614 1st Avenue, Two Harbors.

For further informa­tion check the VRP website at veteranresilienceproject.org.