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Healing the wounded soul

New program focuses on spiritual wounds

Dr. Jenny Owens and her husband Evan Owens’ program is coming to JBLM this fall. Courtesy photo

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"Is it possible for my soul to die?"

That was the question a soldier asked occupational therapist Dr. Jenny Owens. Her response would become the formation of a new program and a new way for healthcare professionals to view and treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Together with her husband Evan Owens, she founded REBOOT Combat Recovery.

We caught up with Evan, who quit his job leading a tech company to start this unique organization.

"REBOOT exists to help heal what is called a ‘spiritual wound,'" he said. "About seven years ago, we began studying, and writing on and ultimately leading a group from this idea that a person is made up of mind, body and soul. Was it possible that a person's soul could be wounded, and if so, what would be the symptoms of a wounded soul? And most importantly, what would the treatment of a wounded soul be?"

They began with a small group in their home, meeting once a week. They brought together former patients along with veterans from their community who were suffering from a variety of physical and mental health issues.

"We just wanted to have a conversation about soul wounds," Owens recalled.

That conversation led to some real breakthroughs, and the word spread. Mental health workers from nearby Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, were also seeing results and asked the Owens' to bring their program on post.

"We don't have a program," Owens said with a laugh, "it's called ‘coming to Evan and Jen's house on Monday night.'"

Certain that they were onto a larger mission, the couple developed the REBOOT curriculum. Since that foundation in 2015, more vets and more military installations have called, and REBOOT recently celebrated group number 50. Among its more than 2,500 graduates, there have been no suicides.

Retired Maj. Michael Johnson is looking to form a new group at JBLM. He served 22 years in the Army, has been diagnosed with PTSD and believes REBOOT can bring tremendous healing.

The strength of the program is that it's "relatively short and is centered around peer-to-peer involvement," he said. "It's people (who) have gone through the struggles and found the victory on the other end on the other side."

Johnson is hoping to begin in the fall.

REBOOT groups gather in community centers, churches and even businesses both on and off installations.  Owens agrees that the peer-to-peer component is critical.

"At REBOOT, you'll find people who can look you in the eye and say ‘I have lived through it and I've learned from it. Now let's lead one another out of it.'"

The group meets for a 12-week process of discussions led by a trained leader. Groups consist of both servicemembers and their spouses. Additionally, each week,"at the end of the session, you're going to be given a weekly challenge," Owens said. "It's kind of like homework, but it's more practical than that."

The exercises are designed to help heal wounded souls and rebuild broken relationships.

REBOOT is a Christian faith-based program at its core, but participants don't have to have any faith to begin.

"The vast majority of people who come through REBOOT groups are not actively engaged in their faith in any way," Owens said.

Johnson said the key to getting help is to reach out.

"Trying to do it on your own is a prideful response that leads to greater disaster," he said.

He knows from experience, having lost his marriage in the process.

He encourages servicemembers to give REBOOT a chance.

"We can offer tools and assistance in finding effective solutions to resolve the challenge," he said.  

Connect to Johnson and learn more about the REBOOT group forming in this area by calling at 360.359.1572 or emailing michael@depot-ministries.com.

For more information about REBOOT, visit rebootrecovery.com.

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