Part of my education and training has been what's expected from a therapist- going and getting your Master's Degree, maybe eventually a Doctorate in one thing or another. Get some other trainings that earn you some sort of string of letters following your name... stuff like that. But a deeper and more meaningful understanding of what I and countless others survived, struggled with, and (for many of us) grew out of came from my training and mentorship with Dr Edward Tick. Internationally recognized expert on trauma and author of the groundbreaking "War and The Soul" and later "Warrior's Return: Restoring The Soul After War", Ed (and his wife and partner Kate Dahlstedt) has been working with war veterans and trauma survivors since the mid-70's. He helped me understand my place as a Warrior Elder.

Sitting Bull was one of the greatest warrior chiefs in this nation's history. Everyone knows about his exploits on the battlefield. With all of that, he considered his most vital role not as a warrior fighting his enemies, but as a Medicine Chief. To quote Ed in "Warriors Return"- "...Of the numerous offices and roles Sitting Bull held, he considered the most important to be Medicine Chief of the Hunkpapa Warrior Society. As a medicine man, shaman, teacher, healer, and leader he was responsible for the spiritual health, healing, and well-being of the tribe's warriors. Sitting Bull was a master and facilitator not just a battle skills but also of warrior rituals, ceremonies, stories, songs, dances, practices, and traditions.

He believed, as did George Washington, that "...if warriors are well, the people will be well" (pg 176). Ed also states: "...To restore our warriors we must restore core values that are not just American but essential to the success of any culture. Truth, trust, faith, integrity, courage, self sacrifice- warriors are asked to give these to the utmost. They must experience the same from us in return..." (pg 130).

And a word from me on "War", "Combat", and "Warrior". These terms don't just apply to what most folks see or dictionaries define. Those terms apply to Military Sexual Trauma (MST) just as much- make no mistake about it. Because I'm here to tell you... sexual trauma IS "War" and "Combat" in every sense of the word. And fighting that "War" makes you a "Warrior". And it's unfortunate that too many of our fellow warriors have fought both of those battles- sometimes simultaneously. 

That is how I understand my role as a Warrior Elder, and that's why "Warrior Elder Counseling Services, LLC". As someone who has been through war, survived trauma, and grew beyond it I feel a duty and responsibility to work with my fellow warriors as Ed outlines in his books, and how he's taught me (and is still teaching me). That's why I do what I do. It's not 'just a job', it's personal.

*For more about Dr. Ed Tick and his work, please visit-

http://www.edwardtick.com/

https://www.soldiersheart.net/