Brian, a former business manager with a wife and children he adores, worked with a Samaritan therapist for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Early in his childhood, Brian experienced violence at the hands of an abusive father. Once, in a fit of rage, he had grabbed Brian by the throat and threatened to kill him. The event lasted less than a minute but impacted Brian’s mental health throughout his adult life.

 

For years, Brian hid his inner turmoil while silently suffering. Nightmares and flashbacks continued to plague him. No matter what he achieved in his life, he felt like a failure. Gripped by worsening depression and no longer able to function, Brian lost his job. “I thought that my family deserved better,” Brian said. “After I lost my job, I believed my life was no longer worth living. Thank God I decided to try therapy at Samaritan.”

​

Brian’s therapist used EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR therapy helps people reprocess traumatic memories and reduce their emotional impact by changing how the memory is stored in their brains. Determined to heal, Brian worked diligently through months of therapy and made substantial progress. Like any illness, mental or physical, PTSD cannot be healed overnight. Treatment requires time before the benefits can be fully realized.

​

Samaritan therapists take the time that is necessary to foster healing in those under their care. They apply proven treatment methods, guiding them with patience and compassion. Their care extends to all people, including those experiencing financial hardship and cannot afford to pay. Your donations help make it possible for every person who is suffering to receive the treatment that they need, for as long as they need it.