New program for returning Vets at VA Medical Center

In continuing efforts to provide outreach and education to veterans of the current conflict and their families, the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC) is launching the Operation Enduring Families Program. This program offers a series of classes that provide both information and support to veterans and their significant others including spouses, parents, partners, and caregivers.

The weekly 90-minute educational classes, held Monday evenings beginning Oct. 19, will focus on topics such as “Effective Communication, “Substance Use and PTSD,” and “Relationships & Returning to Family Life After Deployment,” among others.

OCTOBER CLASSES
19 – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Dawn Lawhon, Ph.D.
26 – Substance Use and PTSD – Nancy O´Dell, LCSW

NOVEMBER CLASSES
2 – Relationships & Returning to Family Life after Deployment – Keith Armstrong, LCSW
9 – Introduction to Depression – Kristi Haney Chambers, RN, MS, CNS
16 – Managing Anger – Susan Karpenko, LCSW
23 – Effective Communication for Creating a Low Stress Environment –Eileen Fox, LCSW

The sessions will be held at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, 4150 Clement Street, Auditorium (Bldg, 7, 1st Floor), San Francisco. All classes will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. There is no charge for this program and reservations are appreciated, but not needed.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Jordana Templin, LCSW, Family Therapy Outreach and Education Coordinator, Couples and Family Therapy Program at (415) 221-4810 x3132 or Jordana.templin@va.gov.

Sarah B.