PTSD Resolution Clinical Liaison Manager Nominated for UK's Premier Military Veterans Awards

Karolina Grzyb, a Clinical Liaison Manager at PTSD Resolution with 14 years of service supporting veterans, has been nominated for the prestigious 2025 Soldiering On Awards Healthcare and Rehabilitation Award. Her nomination recognises exceptional dedication to rebuilding trust with veterans who have often been failed by other services, whilst her unique Polish military heritage often creates an immediate bond with British veterans seeking help.

The nomination comes during the awards' landmark 15th anniversary year, when veteran mental health support has never been more critical, with some 7% of the UK's 2.4 million veterans suffering from PTSD and many struggling to access appropriate care.

From Polish military family to British veteran champion

Born into a Polish military family, Karolina's connection to military service spans three generations. Her father served in the Polish armed forces and worked as a civilian contractor in Iraq, her brother served in the transport corps, and her grandfather fought as a partisan during World War II, surviving until age 103 despite being pursued by German and Russian invaders.

"I used to love writing poetry in Polish and would send my brother letters during his service," recalls Karolina. "He would feedback saying those letters kept him and others in the regiment close and connected to home. Maybe that was the beginning of everything."

This heritage proves invaluable in her current role. "It's very often what quickly connects me with clients when they call," she explains. "That shared military history becomes a connection between us."

The voice of hope for desperate veterans

Karolina's role places her at the crucial first point of contact for veterans in crisis. Working three days weekly, she handles approximately eight calls daily, each averaging 30 minutes - though she never rushes anyone. Her commitment extends beyond normal working hours, as she makes herself available to take calls at all hours of the day and on weekends to ensure veterans receive the best possible service when they need it most.

Through her dedicated work, Karolina has not only directly helped over 4,000 veterans and their families receive therapy, but has also spoken to more than double that number - over 8,000 people - providing a crucial listening ear, understanding their needs, and where appropriate, referring them onwards for support.

"The most challenging aspect is that veterans very often come with broken trust because they have been let down before by other organisations they contacted," she explains. "But their voice, their attitude, is completely transformed during that call. They feedback: 'This is the first time I've had a call like this - someone who took time to listen and understand.'"

Her two-part registration process ensures appropriate care. After initial contact, she provides comprehensive information and schedules a follow-up call. "When people call distressed, sometimes information can go in one ear and out the other," she notes.

During the second call, she gathers clinical details to match veterans with the most suitable therapist from PTSD Resolution's network of 200 Human Givens Institute (HGI) practitioners. To better support veterans in this crucial role, Karolina is training to be a therapist herself, and so can guide clients effectively through their initial contact and therapist matching process.

The Human Givens therapy approach focuses on meeting fundamental emotional needs and using innate resources for healing, allowing therapists to understand clients' underlying issues beyond their presenting symptoms.

Within 48 hours, assigned therapists contact veterans, with first sessions typically occurring within two weeks.

Adapting to unprecedented challenges

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Karolina played an instrumental role in rapidly transforming the charity's service delivery, helping to shift therapy online within just two weeks. This swift adaptation ensured that vulnerable veterans could continue receiving critical mental health support during lockdown, when many were at their most isolated and in need.

The emotional toll of listening to trauma stories affects every team member. "Some calls are very challenging," Karolina admits. "We need the ability to empathise but detach from stories so our work can be done properly."

The team maintains a private IT support platform, and Karolina finds solace in nature. "I am a mountain girl from Poland. Every day after work, I take my dog for walks by the Thames. This is when I can recharge myself."

One particularly emotional case involved a serving soldier facing medical discharge after a serious training accident. "You could hear someone whose life had almost finished because their military career was everything. This was one of the most emotional referrals—it will stay with me forever."

Supporting veterans worldwide and an innovative family approach

PTSD Resolution's programme supports British veterans in over 20 countries including the USA, Hong Kong, Spain, and Dubai. "Clients say 'I don't know if you can direct me somewhere' because they don't expect we can help overseas veterans," she explains.

The work with her call-handling team colleagues has included the charity's prisoner support programme across 35 facilities, where prison officers have referred veterans and assigned therapists to conduct initial assessments during visits.

Equally innovative is the family-first approach when troubled veterans won't seek help directly. "We offer therapy for family members," Karolina explains. "We can transition from therapy for partners and children to hopefully regaining trust with the veteran. When they know the approach is different, they want to try it."

Extraordinary cases and lasting impact

Karolina's caseload includes remarkable stories demonstrating PTSD Resolution's unique reach. The charity currently supports a veteran in his late 90s who served in World War II. Previously, they helped another veteran who suffered in silence for 50 years after Aden service, never going to bed and falling asleep in a chair nightly, trying to avoid the nightmares that would inevitably come - until recovering after just three therapy sessions.

"The suffering is very often in silence," Karolina reflects. "Maybe it's thinking 'we have been made to soldier on' and 'I shouldn't show weakness.' But that's not weakness - this is natural human emotion when faced by terrible scenes and situations that nobody should ever see."

Her message to veterans remains powerful: "If you're struggling, you're not alone. Making the first call can be the hardest step, but it's the first step towards healing. When you reach out to PTSD Resolution, you'll be met by a warm, friendly voice. Don't suffer in silence."

Recognition for transformative service

Karolina's journey began in 2010 when she arrived from Poland. Initially studying whilst working evenings, she was connected to PTSD Resolution's founder and chairman, Tony Gauvain - retired Colonel of the Cheshire regiment and an HGI therapist - through a chance encounter.

PTSD Resolution operates through 200 accredited therapists, providing free treatment averaging 6 sessions at £940 per client, with the service delivered free of charge. With 82% completion rates - exceeding NHS IAPT services 50% - the organisation has Royal College of Psychiatrists accreditation.

Awards ceremony marks milestone

The October 2025 Soldiering On Awards ceremony at London's Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel marks the programme's 15th anniversary. Karolina is among three finalists for the Healthcare and Rehabilitation Award, selected through rigorous judging.

The awards represent the UK's foremost recognition of Armed Forces community achievements, with patronage from Rt Hon Earl Howe PC and consistent ministerial attendance.

Karolina's nomination gains special significance from the enduring UK-Poland military bonds. During World War II, 145 Polish pilots served in the Battle of Britain with a decisive 2.8:1 kill-to-loss ratio. Today, this partnership continues with over £4 billion in defence cooperation.

Her heritage embodies connections spanning from her grandfather's WWII resistance to current military partnerships, adding historical depth to her contemporary contributions.

Soldiering On

Karolina Grzyb's nomination recognises a remarkable journey from Polish student to the trusted voice transforming veterans' lives at their most vulnerable moments. Her military family history, Human Givens training, and 14 years of front-line experience create an unparalleled foundation for clinical liaison work.

Through her two-stage registration process, expert therapist matching, and innovative family approaches, Karolina has helped reshape care for over 4,000 veterans and families—from WWII veterans in their 90s to serving soldiers, from prisoners to veterans worldwide.

As the Soldiering On Awards celebrate their 15th anniversary, Karolina Grzyb's nomination highlights how dedicated professionals continue transforming veteran mental health support through cultural understanding and unwavering commitment to those who served.

About PTSD Resolution: Free, Prompt, Confidential and Effective Therapy

PTSD Resolution, Charity No. 1202649, provides therapy for the mental welfare of Forces' Veterans, Reservists and their families. Treatment is free, effective and delivered promptly and locally through a network of 200 therapists nationwide, and also by phone and the internet. The charity can also work with organisations to help the mental welfare of their non-veteran staff, by arrangement.

Founded in 2009, the charity is accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists to the Quality Network for Veterans Mental Health Services (QNVMHS). It has had over 4,500 referrals to date, and delivers therapy in an average of seven sessions, where the client and therapist agree that no further therapy is required.

The charity is one of the only organisations to provide therapy to veterans suffering with addiction issues - as well as to family members, including partners and children, who may experience the symptoms of trauma from living with a traumatised veteran.

PTSD Resolution has a uniquely 'lean' operation, with no salaried staff or assets. Funds are used to deliver therapy and for essential research and public information at an average cost of £940 per therapy programme, delivered free to clients.