June is PTSD Awareness Month, a time to recognize the invisible wounds carried by many in our military communities. While PTSD affects people from all walks of life, it’s especially prevalent among veterans and active-duty military personnel. In fact, according to the Armed Forces Benefit Association about 6% of U.S. adults are diagnosed with PTSD but with military services personnel it’s an astounding 23%. For veterans, active duty service members, and even their families, PTSD is a complex and pervasive condition with far-reaching effects. It doesn’t show up the same for everyone and that means it takes a deeply personalized approach to enact real change.
This is exactly where YourCoach health coaches can step in. Health coaches are becoming an increasingly vital part of the support system for military communities living with PTSD. While they don’t replace clinical care, health coaches provide individualized support that’s tailored to an individual’s needs. They help clients build trust in themselves, navigate transitions, and prioritize holistic wellbeing, often serving as a steady, empowering presence in moments of uncertainty. In today’s blog, we explore three key ways health coaches support individuals and families in military communities living with PTSD.
Developing Personalized Programs that Adapt to Life’s Transitions
Leaving military service often means re-entering civilian life without the structure, identity, or support system that service members have relied on for years. It also opens the door to new challenges, unfamiliar stressors, and an entirely different way of life. For those living with PTSD, this transition can be even more disorienting. Health coaches offer personalized guidance that meets people where they are, not with a generic plan, but with support that flexes and evolves as life changes.
Together with a YourCoach health coach, individuals can create goals that are meaningful and help mitigate symptoms and effects of PTSD. For example, PTSD can have a proven and lasting impact on sleep quality. A YourCoach health coach can help identify lifestyle habits that might be perpetuating poor sleep hygiene and help incorporate real strategies that slowly and consistently improve sleep. Whether someone is transitioning out of service, returning to work, or adjusting to life after a new diagnosis, coaches provide an anchor through change. The structure they offer becomes a lifeline for those working through trauma while trying to reclaim their next chapter.
Building Trust & Fostering a Safe Space for Healing
For many with PTSD, trust isn’t given, it needs to be earned. This is expressly important when it comes to health and care. YourCoach health coaches create trust through reliability, accountability and empathy. As a result, they create a safe space where individuals can show up without fear of judgement or pressure. This sort of environment encourages positive change and lasting results (just check out our Observational Outcomes Study and Deep Dive for proof!).
For example, results of a 2021 study show health coaching is associated with increased and sustained goal achievement in some veterans with PTSD. Another study showed health coaching for veterans with PTSD increases engagement and satisfaction with intervention programs and identified coaching as a helpful approach to making progress on individualized wellness goals. Building trust isn’t just a foundational step, it’s the heart of what makes REAL health coaching effective, especially for those navigating the deep and lasting impacts of PTSD.
Providing Opportunities to Support the Whole Family
PTSD doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It affects partners, children, and caregivers to name a few. Military members often take on enormous emotional, physical and logistical burdens whether it’s navigating the unpredictability of trauma symptoms or managing the day-to-day realities of caregiving. YourCoach health coaches can work with multiple family members to build resilience and prioritize their health and wellbeing – as well as that of their family unit.
When one family member is living with PTSD, the entire household might feel its effects. That’s why it’s essential to take a whole-family approach to healing. This might mean helping a partner establish boundaries to prevent caregiver burnout or guiding a parent in developing self-care routines while supporting their child through behavioral shifts. By empowering each member of the family, YourCoach health coaches help strengthen the support system around the individual living with PTSD while helping promote health & wellbeing for all.
PTSD presents complex challenges, but recovery and resilience are possible with the right support. We provide holistic support that drives real results. If you’re an organization that’s looking to learn more about how we provide REAL health coaching to thousands – including veterans, active service members and their families – send us a note to team@yourcoach.health.
FAQ:
What role do YourCoach health coaches play in supporting military members and veterans living with PTSD?
YourCoach health coaches provide personalized support that mitigates the symptoms and effects of PTSD. They help military members and veterans build trust, develop adaptable wellness plans, and navigate life transitions.
How do YourCoach health coaches create a safe and effective space for healing PTSD in military communities?
YourCoach health coaches build trust through reliability, empathy, and accountability, creating a judgment-free environment where individuals feel safe to explore challenges and set meaningful goals. This supportive space encourages sustained engagement with wellness strategies, resulting in positive changes and improved outcomes for those living with PTSD.
Why is involving the whole family important in health coaching for PTSD recovery?
PTSD affects not only the individual but also their partners, children, and caregivers. We work with multiple family members to build resilience across the household, promote healthy communication, and support self-care practices. By strengthening the entire family unit, coaching helps create a more stable, supportive environment essential for long-term healing.