For Families (FAITH)
Family Assistance & Intervention for Trauma Healing
Support for Those Living with a Veteran's Trauma
When a veteran struggles with the psychological effects of military service, the impact extends to their entire family. As a partner, parent, child, or sibling of a veteran, you may be experiencing your own challenges that deserve support.
Understanding Secondary Trauma
Living with someone affected by military trauma can be overwhelming. You might be:
- Walking on eggshells to avoid triggering reactions
- Taking on additional family responsibilities
- Becoming isolated from friends and social support
- Experiencing anxiety, depression, or sleep problems
- Feeling helpless or unable to support your loved one
- Managing difficult behaviours or emotional outbursts
- Worrying about the impact on children in the family
These experiences are normal responses to challenging circumstances and don't reflect any failure on your part. Secondary trauma is real, and you deserve support in your own right.
Understanding More
You can find further information here for :
A wealth of further psychoeducation information on video can also be found here.
Our FAITH programme offers:
- Free therapy for family members aged 12 and above
- No referral needed - contact us directly
- Prompt support - typically arranged within days
- Local delivery through therapists across the UK
- Flexible options - in-person or online sessions
- Proven effectiveness - 68% reliable improvement rate
- Brief intervention - an average of 7 sessions
- Completely confidential support
What Families Say
"We had family therapy sessions which focused on our healing rather than the details of Dad's trauma. After the sessions, the changes were remarkable: Dad's nightmares ceased, the whole family became calmer, and we haven't experienced the household tensions that used to trigger everyone. The children are sleeping better, I've stopped my anxiety medication, and we're reconnected as a family."
— Military family that participated in FAITH
"I didn't realise how much I was struggling until I got help. Now I can better support both my partner and our children while taking care of my own wellbeing too."Children and Young People
— Sarah, Veteran's wife
Many children benefit most from an improved home environment and better relationships with their caregivers. Our approach for young people aged 12-18 is:
- Age-appropriate therapy techniques
- Support for communication within the family
- Building resilience and coping strategies
- Creating a safe space to express feelings
When reviewing treatment for children under 12, which is a specialised area, we first ensure that we are the right service. Younger children may have highly complex mental health difficulties, and there are often other services already involved, or there may be a requirement for those services before any further action.
For the under 12s, we work with parents to provide guidance on supporting younger family members. In some cases, we can help coordinate with schools or other specialist children's services. This may mean that treatment is not immediate, but dependent on work with other services. Other responsible providers operate similarly.
How to Access Support
- Contact us on 0300 302 0551 or email contact@ptsdresolution.org
- Brief discussion about your situation and needs
- Coordination planning - Especially for children under 12, we discuss any work required to coordinate with other services or signpost to more suitable ones
- Local therapist assigned promptly
- Begin sessions at a time that works for you
All therapy is free, confidential, and focused on your wellbeing.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Getting help shows strength, not weakness. Contact us today:
Call: 0300 302 0551
Email: contact@ptsdresolution.org
FAITH - Technical Support
FAITH Programme FAQs - Support for Military Families
Understanding FAITH
Q: What is FAITH? A: FAITH (Family Assistance & Intervention for Trauma Healing) is PTSD Resolution's dedicated programme providing free mental health support to families affected by military trauma. We recognise that when a veteran suffers from PTSD, the entire household is impacted.
Q: Why do family members need therapy if they haven't served? A: Living with someone experiencing PTSD can cause secondary trauma. Family members often develop their own symptoms including anxiety, depression, hypervigilance and sleep problems. As Chairman Colonel Tony Gauvain notes: "Growing evidence shows that secondary trauma impacts entire households."
Q: How common is it for family members to seek help? A: Very common - 17% of PTSD Resolution's clients are family members. You're not alone in needing support.
Eligibility and Access
Q: Which family members can access FAITH? A: Any family member aged 12 and over, including:
Spouses and partners (65% of our family clients)
Children (32% of our family clients)
Parents and siblings (3% of our family clients)
Q: My veteran partner won't seek help - can I still get therapy? A: Yes, absolutely. Family members can access therapy independently. You don't need the veteran's permission or involvement to receive your own support.
Q: Do we need a doctor's referral? A: No. Simply call 0300 302 0551 directly. No GP referral or formal diagnosis required.
Q: Is there really no cost? A: Treatment is completely free for all military families. Each course costs the charity £940 on average, but families pay nothing. This is funded through donations to our registered charity (No. 1202649).
Treatment for Families
Q: What if my children are struggling? A: Children aged 12 and over can receive individual therapy through FAITH. Currently, 32% of our family member clients are children of veterans. The therapy is age-appropriate and delivered by qualified therapists experienced in working with young people.
Q: Can we have family therapy sessions together? A: Treatment is tailored to your family's specific needs. This might include:
Individual sessions for family members
Couple therapy for partners
Family sessions where appropriate
A combination of approaches
Q: Will I have to discuss my partner's military experiences? A: No. The focus is on your healing and your experiences. Our non-invasive approach means you don't need to know or discuss the veteran's trauma details to receive effective help.
Common Family Concerns
Q: What symptoms in family members can FAITH help with? A: Common issues we successfully treat include:
Anxiety and constant worry
Depression and low mood
Sleep problems and nightmares
Walking on eggshells/hypervigilance
Relationship difficulties
Anger and frustration
Feeling isolated or overwhelmed
Q: How do I know if I need help? A: If living with a traumatised veteran is affecting your daily life, relationships, work, or wellbeing, you could benefit from support. As one military wife said: "FAITH helped our whole family understand and cope with the changes."
Q: What if my partner is angry about me seeking help? A: Your sessions are confidential. Many veterans actually feel relief when family members get support, as it reduces pressure on them. Your therapist can advise on managing this sensitively.
Practical Questions
Q: How quickly can my family access help? A: Very quickly:
Usually 2 days from calling to appointment scheduling
Then 12 days to your first therapy session
No waiting lists
Q: How many sessions will family members need? A: Treatment averages 7 sessions, but varies by individual need. Sessions continue until you and your therapist agree no further help is required.
Q: Can family members in different locations all get help? A: Yes. With 200 therapists nationwide and online options, we can support family members wherever they are in the UK.
Success and Outcomes
Q: How effective is FAITH for families? A: CEO Charles Highett reports: "68% of veterans and family members who engage in therapy see their condition reliably improved, even with long-standing trauma." The recovery rate for family members is 61%, increased from 44% the previous year.
Q: What do other families say? A: One military family reported: "After the sessions, the changes were remarkable: Dad's nightmares ceased, the whole family became calmer... The children are sleeping better, I've stopped my anxiety medication, and we're reconnected as a family."
Special Circumstances
Q: My veteran partner is in prison - can we still get help? A: Yes. FAITH supports families regardless of the veteran's circumstances, including when they're in custody.
Q: The veteran in our family has died - are we still eligible? A: Yes. Bereaved military families dealing with the ongoing impact of their loved one's trauma can access FAITH support.
Q: My partner has alcohol/drug problems alongside PTSD - can we still get family support? A: Yes. We're one of the only services that doesn't exclude families dealing with addiction issues. We understand these often go hand-in-hand with trauma.
Getting Started
Q: How do I take the first step? A: Simply call 0300 302 0551. Our trained team will:
Listen to your situation without judgement
Register you for the FAITH programme
Match you with an appropriate local or online therapist
Schedule your first appointment within days
Q: What if I'm nervous about calling? A: This is completely normal. Our team understands how difficult that first call can be. As one spouse said: "The support I received gave me a voice again. I now understand PTSD more and how it affects my husband's behaviour."
Q: Can I email instead of calling? A: Yes, email contact@ptsdresolution.org, though calling ensures quicker access to support.
Remember
You don't have to struggle alone. Military trauma affects entire families, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Through FAITH, your family can heal together.
For immediate support: Call 0300 302 0551
If you're in crisis, also contact: The Samaritans (116 123), your GP, or emergency services (999)