Page 131 - Firehouse Pond

Note: Not a single time has the VA invited my wife to attend an appointment

with my Mental Hygiene medical staff. I find that a bit curious.

The day progressed, but no return phone call. As I reflect, I will acknowledge

that my expectations were optimistic but minimal. Why would a published
author and well-respected psychotherapist return a call from some soldier in
Kentucky?

But he did. It was six o’clock, the phone rang, and the voice said: “Hi
Denny, this is Ed Tick”. Ninety minutes later, Dr. Tick had counseled my
wife and me. In a long-distance phone call, with a man I had never met and a

soldier he had never met – no background – I (we) received the most
profound and life-changing counseling. I literally owe my life to Edward
Tick, Ph.D.

I am an avid reader. Once I find “words of meaning”, I am apt to not put the
material down until I have read every word for “matter”. Then I go back with

a critical mind and reread for “purpose” and possible application. Basically, I
rip it to shreds and try to find how the writer’s words, use of inflectional
morphemes and background can be used by me to become a better person.

“Edward Tick, Ph.D., is Executive Director and Co-founder of Soldier’s
Heart. He is also a Soldier’s Heart Program Leader.

Honored for his groundbreaking work in the spiritual, holistic and
community-based healing of veterans and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD), Dr. Tick has been a psychotherapist for 38 years, specializing in
working with veterans since the 1970s. He is the author of Sacred Mountain,

The Practice of Dream Healing, The Golden Tortoise, Wild Beasts and
Wandering Souls and the award-winning book War and The Soul. Ed’s latest
book, Warrior’s Return, is in bookstores now.