Veronica Snow-Benton (She/Her)

Depression can stem from physiological problems, unresolved anger, or unhealthy coping mechanisms developed through trauma, but it does not define us. Despite growing acceptance of mental health discussions, many still feel flawed. As one of the 280 million adults who experienced depression, I overcame it with determination and support, becoming more resilient. As Vivian Greene said, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

I have had the privilege of serving military personnel and their families for the past 20 years. During this period, I have worked with this population to address mental health crises, domestic and child abuse, activations, and deployments, as well as frequent relocations. My clinical expertise has been further enriched by my firsthand experiences as a military dependent.

As a middle-aged woman, I have faced various life stages and challenges unique to women today. Many balance careers, parenting, and household duties, leading to emotional and physical strain. Despite improvements, workplace issues like the glass ceiling and unequal pay remain. It's important for women to feel valued and confident, even as we navigate physical changes and societal expectations.

Depression can stem from physiological problems, unresolved anger, or unhealthy coping mechanisms developed through trauma, but it does not define us. Despite growing acceptance of mental health discussions, many still feel flawed. As one of the 280 million adults who experienced depression, I overcame it with determination and support, becoming more resilient. As Vivian Greene said, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

I have had the privilege of serving military personnel and their families for the past 20 years. During this period, I have worked with this population to address mental health crises, domestic and child abuse, activations, and deployments, as well as frequent relocations. My clinical expertise has been further enriched by my firsthand experiences as a military dependent.

As a middle-aged woman, I have faced various life stages and challenges unique to women today. Many balance careers, parenting, and household duties, leading to emotional and physical strain. Despite improvements, workplace issues like the glass ceiling and unequal pay remain. It's important for women to feel valued and confident, even as we navigate physical changes and societal expectations.

People often seek counseling due to their thoughts and behaviors. For example, a boss might suggest focusing on the positive or improving workplace interactions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals recognize unhelpful patterns and change them to build healthier relationships and reduce negative outcomes. I’ve seen clients successfully identify and adjust these patterns, leading to positive changes.

I didn’t expect to enjoy couples counseling when I started my career, but over the past six years, I’ve found fulfillment helping couples address communication, trust, family planning, marriage, and co-parenting after separation. While relationships often require guidance due to differences between partners, building healthy and mutually satisfying connections is possible.

This orientation has played a significant role throughout my career. This therapeutic approach focuses on identifying challenges and developing effective strategies to common life issues, for example, communication within relationships, coping with the loss of a parent, adapting to changes in employment, or transitioning into the empty nester stage. A critical aspect of this process is recognizing situations early and seeking timely intervention to help mitigate potential impacts on daily life.