Military & Veteran Counseling in Castle Rock, CO
You served your country. Now let us serve you. Specialized trauma therapy for veterans, active duty service members, and military families.
Book a Free ConsultationYou did your job. You served with honor. But somewhere along the way, the weight of it started to catch up with you. Maybe it's the nightmares that won't stop. Maybe it's the anger that comes out of nowhere. Or maybe it's just a feeling of being disconnected – like you're home, but not really here.
Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness. It takes more courage to face what's going on inside than it ever took to face anything downrange. And you deserve support from someone who actually understands military life – not just from a textbook, but from real experience.
At South Denver Therapy, we provide specialized counseling for veterans, active duty service members, and military families throughout Colorado. Whether you're dealing with combat trauma, struggling with the transition to civilian life, or watching the person you love disappear behind a wall – we can help.
Carissa Keeter is a military spouse. She understands military life firsthand – the deployments, the moves, the unique pressures, and the culture. You wont have to spend your sessions explaining what a PCS is or why certain experiences are hard to talk about with civilians. She gets it.
Understanding the Unique Needs of Service Members and Veterans
Military service changes you. It has to. The training, the experiences, the things you've seen and done – they shape how you see the world and how you respond to it. That's not a flaw. It's adaptation.
But what helped you survive in a combat zone doesn't always serve you well at home. Hypervigilance that kept you alive overseas makes it hard to relax at a family barbecue. Emotional control that helped you function under fire creates distance in your relationships. And experiences that civilians can't understand leave you feeling isolated, even in a crowded room.
We don't approach veteran counseling the same way we'd approach therapy with anyone else. We understand that trust has to be earned. That you may have been burned by the system before. That "just talk about your feelings" isn't going to cut it. Our approach is direct, evidence-based, and focused on actually helping you move forward – not just rehashing the past.
Common Challenges We Help Veterans and Military Families Navigate
PTSD & Combat Trauma
Intrusive memories, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbing that won't go away no matter how hard you try to push through it. Combat changes the brain – but the brain can heal with the right treatment.
Moral Injury
The deep wounds that come from experiences that violated your moral code – things you did, witnessed, or failed to prevent. This isn't just PTSD. It's a crisis of conscience that requires specialized care.
Transition to Civilian Life
Losing the structure, purpose, and identity that military service provided. Feeling like you don't fit in anywhere. Struggling to find meaning in a world that doesn't understand what you've been through.
Relationship Strain
Emotional distance, communication breakdowns, intimacy issues, and the feeling that your family doesn't recognize you anymore. Deployments and trauma take a toll on even the strongest relationships.
Depression & Anxiety
The heaviness that settles in after service. Loss of motivation, constant worry, feeling on edge or numb. These are common responses to military experience – and they're treatable.
TBI-Related Issues
Cognitive difficulties, mood changes, and other challenges that often accompany traumatic brain injury. We can help you develop strategies to manage symptoms and improve daily functioning.
Our Approach: EMDR and Evidence-Based Trauma Treatment
We specialize in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) – a trauma therapy that's been extensively researched with military populations and is recognized by the VA and Department of Defense as a highly effective treatment for PTSD.
Why EMDR Works for Combat Trauma
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn't require you to describe traumatic events in detail or "relive" them over and over. Instead, it helps your brain process stuck memories so they stop triggering the same intense reactions. Many veterans find this approach more effective – and more tolerable – than other treatments they've tried.
Carissa is EMDRIA-certified, meaning she's completed advanced training and supervision in EMDR therapy. She's helped numerous veterans process combat trauma and reclaim their lives.
Learn more about EMDR therapy →Read: EMDR for Veterans and First Responders →
Supporting Military Families
Military service affects the whole family – not just the person who wore the uniform. Spouses carry their own burdens: the solo parenting during deployments, the anxiety of not knowing, the challenge of reconnecting when your service member comes home changed. Kids feel the stress and disruption too, even when they don't have words for it.
Individual Therapy for Military Family Members
We provide individual counseling to help military family members navigate:
- Processing your own experiences with deployment and military life stress
- Coping when your spouse or parent is struggling with PTSD or depression
- Managing the anxiety and uncertainty that come with military life
- Rebuilding your sense of self after years of putting the mission first
- Navigating relationship challenges caused by service-related issues
- Processing grief, anger, or resentment you may not have had space to feel
What to Expect When Working With Us
We know trust doesn't come easy – especially after you've been through the system. Here's exactly what working with us looks like:
Free Consultation
A 15-minute phone call to connect and see if we're a good fit. No pressure, no commitments. You can ask questions, share a little about what you're dealing with, and get a feel for whether this makes sense for you.
Assessment & History
Your first full session is about understanding your situation – your military background, what you're struggling with, what you've tried before, and what you want to get out of therapy. We'll start building a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Stabilization & Skills
Before diving into trauma processing, we make sure you have solid coping tools. You'll learn techniques to manage symptoms, regulate your nervous system, and stay grounded when things get intense.
Trauma Processing
When you're ready, we begin EMDR or other trauma-focused work. You stay in control of the pace. The goal is to process the memories that are stuck so they stop running your life.
Integration & Moving Forward
As symptoms decrease, we focus on rebuilding – reconnecting with relationships, finding purpose, and creating a life that feels worth living. You'll leave with tools to maintain your progress.
Telehealth Options for Veterans Across Colorado
Quality Care From Anywhere in Colorado
You don't have to live near Castle Rock to work with us. We provide secure video therapy to veterans and service members throughout Colorado – including those stationed at or near military installations.
Whether you're in Colorado Springs, Denver, the Western Slope, or a rural area hours from any major city – you can access specialized trauma therapy from your home, your car, or wherever you have privacy and a stable internet connection.
Why Choose South Denver Therapy
Meet Carissa Keeter
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) • EMDRIA Certified • Military SpouseCarissa brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to her work with military clients. As a military spouse, she knows the culture from the inside. As an EMDRIA-certified EMDR therapist, she has the specialized training to effectively treat combat trauma and PTSD. She's direct, doesn't waste your time, and is committed to helping you actually get better – not just talk in circles.
Learn more about CarissaAward-Winning Care
Voted Best of the Best in Mental Health for Castle Rock in 2024 and 2025. Trusted by our community.
Military Culture Understanding
As a military spouse, Carissa understands your world. No need to explain the basics – she already gets it.
EMDR Expertise
EMDRIA-certified therapist specializing in the gold-standard treatment for combat trauma and PTSD.
Telehealth Statewide
Secure video sessions available anywhere in Colorado. Get help without the commute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept VA benefits or TRICARE?
We are a private pay practice and don't bill insurance directly, including VA benefits or TRICARE. However, many clients are able to get reimbursed through their out-of-network benefits. Check out our FAQs page to learn how Mentaya can help you submit for reimbursement and potentially recover 50-80% of session costs.
Do you actually understand military culture?
Yes. Carissa is a military spouse herself, so she understands military life firsthand – the deployments, the moves, the unique stressors, and the culture. You won't have to spend sessions explaining what TDY means or why certain experiences are hard to talk about with civilians. She gets it.
How effective is EMDR for combat-related PTSD?
EMDR is recognized by the VA and Department of Defense as a highly effective treatment for PTSD. Research shows that 77-90% of combat veterans experience significant reduction in PTSD symptoms after EMDR treatment. Many veterans find relief faster with EMDR than with traditional talk therapy alone.
Can I do therapy online if I don't live near Castle Rock?
Absolutely. We offer telehealth services to veterans and service members anywhere in Colorado. Whether you're stationed at Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, or living in a rural area hours from any major city, you can access quality trauma therapy from home via secure video.
Will I have to talk about everything that happened?
No. With EMDR, you don't have to share every detail of traumatic experiences. The process works by helping your brain reprocess memories without requiring you to verbally relive them in detail. You stay in control of what you share, and we go at your pace.
How much does veteran counseling cost?
Sessions are $175 for 60 minutes. Many clients get reimbursed through their out-of-network insurance benefits. Visit our FAQs page to learn how Mentaya can help you recover a significant portion of your costs.
You've Served Your Country—Let Us Serve You
You don't have to keep carrying this alone. Whether you're dealing with combat trauma, struggling with transition, or just need someone who understands – we're here. Take the first step and schedule a free consultation.
Book Your Free ConsultationOr call us at (720) 663-8046