Although it is celebrated throughout the month of April, Wednesday, April 17, 2024 is designated as Purple Up Day. On Purple Up Day, Americans are encouraged to wear purple as a simple but visible way to show support for the nearly one million military children worldwide! Why Purple? Purple represents all military kids as it symbolizes the various branches of service joined together. It combines green for the Army, red for the Marines and shades of blue for the Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force. Will you join us to Purple Up for #MightyMilitaryKids?  The post Purple Up! appeared first on C ..read more

Military kids are known for being resilient as they often adapt to change and overcome challenges associated with military life. But just how can parents foster resilience in their children? We have 3 strategies parents can utilize to help their kids thrive while managing their unique experiences. The post How to Foster Resilience in Children appeared first on Cohen Veterans Network ..read more

We mourn the loss of Senator Joseph Lieberman, a distinguished four-term senator representing Connecticut and lifelong public servant. Renowned for his dedication to improving the mental health of veterans and military families, Senator Lieberman was a committed and active member of the CVN Board from the very beginning, dedicating himself wholeheartedly to the welfare of veterans and their families. Our deepest condolences are extended to Hadassah Lieberman and their entire family during this difficult time. The post Honoring Sen. Joseph Lieberman – CVN Board Member appeared first on Cohen Ve ..read more

CVN Spring Training Series The Cohen Veterans Network Training Team is proud to share our spring training series featuring experts in child, adolescent and family therapy. The series features two clinical webinars for behavioral health providers and one for parents, caregivers, teachers and other professionals who regularly interact with children and teens. All trainings are free to join and CEs are available for clinical webinars. We hope you enjoy! Our spring trainings are generously supported by USAA. Children, Youth, & Families Webinar Series: Title: Partnering with Parents in Child an ..read more

As CVN is filling the gaps in care, we continuously seek to understand in real time the unique experiences of the military community. In our new America’s Mental Health Loneliness Survey: Military Perspectives we captured military couples’ experiences with loneliness and isolation. Our survey revealed: Three-fourths (77%) of military couples surveyed reported feeling lonely “some of the time” (50%) or “often” (27%). Among the top factors contributing to loneliness as discovered in the survey: Over half (55%) of military couples surveyed reported no close friends or family nearby Over half ..read more

CVN is hosting a webinar on February 8th open to the field of military mental health. Children of military service members and veterans live a unique lifestyle compared to their civilian peers. Join us for this virtual presentation to learn about their strengths, some of the challenges they may face, and how you can best support them. During this presentation, you will learn fifteen things they want you to know, learn from personal stories, and discover resources available for those who need support, such as military and veteran kids in caregiving roles.  Bio: Jenna Pryor serves as the ..read more

You do not need to be married to see a couples therapist. Some think of it as “marriage counseling” but many therapists (including our Cohen Clinic therapists!) welcome all couples, including LBGTQ+ military couples. Whether you’re dating, engaged, or married for 60+ years, you might benefit from couples therapy. It is never too soon to work on your relationship. Some think of couples therapy as a drastic measure, or as a last resort to save a marriage, but it’s never too soon to get help when you need it. Anyone can benefit from additional work on their relationship. Couples therapy can help ..read more

While relationships are often filled with joy, it is not uncommon to encounter rough patches and challenges that put even the strongest bonds to the test. It is during these critical times that couples therapy can offer hope and healing, and growth. Dr. Ashleigh Adams, Assistant Director at the Cohen Clinic at University of Pennsylvania, explains the ins and outs of couples therapy. What is couples therapy? Couples therapy is individuals in a relationship together talking with a licensed therapist. It could be about issues they’ve been having, maybe it’s about arguments or making a big decisio ..read more

The new year can bring resolutions, healthy habits, positive changes, and reminders to take care of ourselves. Remember that love comes in all forms, whether you’re single or in a relationship. Make self-care a priority and embrace the love within through these helpful self-love tips. Avoid negative thought spirals. When stressed or overwhelmed, we can go on a downward path of negative thoughts. Stop the spiral by asking yourself if the thought is a fact, something you can control, and is it serving you. Practice daily gratitude. Write down three different things you are thankful for each d ..read more

‘Tis the season for family, fun…and stress. But this year, unwrap the gift of wellness by employing strategies to help minimize stress, foster connection with your family and make the most out of the holidays. Ashley Jensen, LMFT, Senior Manager of Clinical Practice at Cohen Veterans Network, has 12 tips to support holiday wellness: #1 Practice Open Communication Find time to talk as a family about holidays stressors and how you want to address them when they come up. For ex., if a parent is deployed, you might find a unique way to celebrate with that parent from a distance. Or if someone in t ..read more