WISCONSIN

Tomah VA therapists use Fort McCoy combat simulator to help veterans with PTSD

Paul Mitchell, a social worker at the VA in Tomah, takes up the gunner's position in a simulator Thursday at Fort McCoy. He was part of group of mental health professionals attending a meeting on how to better treat veterans having a difficult time adjusting to civilian life. The VA in Tomah and nearby Fort McCoy have the only partnership of its kind, where therapists are allowed to use a U.S. Army combat simulator for prolonged exposure therapy as an option for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Paul Mitchell, a social worker at the VA in Tomah, takes up the gunner's position in a simulator Thursday at Fort McCoy. He was part of group of mental health professionals attending a meeting on how to better treat veterans having a difficult time adjusting to civilian life. The VA in Tomah and nearby Fort McCoy have the only partnership of its kind, where therapists are allowed to use a U.S. Army combat simulator for prolonged exposure therapy as an option for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Army veteran Samuel Hipp (right) talks about his service while fellow veteran Zach Nelson listens while participating in a discussion with a group of mental health professionals Thursday at Fort McCoy.
Army veteran Samuel Hipp (right) talks about his service while fellow veteran Zach Nelson listens while participating in a discussion with a group of mental health professionals Thursday at Fort McCoy.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
This is a scene from one of the simulators used to re-create combat scenarios.
This is a scene from one of the simulators used to re-create combat scenarios.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Tracy Martin, a clinician with the Ho-Chunk Nation Department of Health, takes up a position in a simulator Thursday at Fort McCoy. He was part of group of mental health professionals attending a meeting on how to better treat veterans having a difficult time adjusting to civilian life.
Tracy Martin, a clinician with the Ho-Chunk Nation Department of Health, takes up a position in a simulator Thursday at Fort McCoy. He was part of group of mental health professionals attending a meeting on how to better treat veterans having a difficult time adjusting to civilian life.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
This is a simulator used to re-create combat scenarios.
This is a simulator used to re-create combat scenarios.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel