Today, Ed is joined by Dr. Briana Nelson Goff, a professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences at Kansas State University. Her clinical experience and research specialization is with primary and secondary traumatic stress symptoms in trauma survivor couples, families, and children, with a specific focus on military and disaster-related traumatic events.

Listen in as Dr. Goff does a deep dive into her work and research around trauma and PTSD, particularly in relation to military families. She and Ed discuss the delicate balancing act between self-sacrificial duty to others and looking out for one’s own mental wellbeing.

They also speak on the journey from awareness of trauma, to the validation of that trauma in one’s life, to the actual work of behavioral change once that trauma has been validated.

Ultimately, Dr. Goff says that our mental health journey is not solely in the hands of a professional, that we need to take agency over our own mental wellbeing. At the same time, strong, supportive relationships are a big factor in strengthening our mental health for the long haul. In her words:

“Don’t keep it in. Get help somewhere. It doesn’t have to be a mental health person. If you’ve had a bad situation, reach out. Get the support that you need. Find your tribe. Find the people who care and bring them with you on your journey.”

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