Women's Trauma Recovery Program (WTRP) Home

Women's Mental Health Center, Menlo Park, CA.

National Women's Trauma Recovery Program
More than a decade ago, the Department of Veterans Affairs opened the National Women's Group Discussion

Trauma Recovery Program (WTRP) as part of the National Center for PTSD at Menlo Park, CA. The WTRP, designed to treat women veterans with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is the first residential program of its kind and is open to women across the country. Many of the women who are referred to the program were sexually assaulted during their military service and suffer what is now referred to as Military Sexual Trauma (MST).

The WTRP is intensive 60-day residential program with a strong emphasis on interpersonal skills. The initial two weeks of treatment involve psychological and psychosocial assessments in order to develop comprehensive treatment plans. Women come into the program in classes, or cohorts, and work together to problem-solve, learn effective communication, and better manage their PTSD/MST symptoms.

Outdoor Meeting

Women come to the program from every state in the union and all ages and walks of life. Most arrive on the brink of emotional disaster and share with each other secrets that many of them have held inside for decades. They leave more self assured and ready to connect to society. Their stories are real and often painful. In an effort to reach other women veterans who need help, they've shared their stories with the world. Click on the photos to read their stories and learn how the program has changed their lives.