Category Archives: Uncategorized

Finding Purpose in Pain

Posted on October 10, 2019 by chris cannida

Photo by Lukas Rychvalsky from Pexels “I’m just glad that my pain can be used to help someone else”. (Quote used with permission by a combat veteran who decided to seek therapy as a way to heal) As had happened many times before, … Continue reading →

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When the Body Speaks

Posted on June 5, 2019 by chris cannida

Photo by Nathan Cowley from Pexels Recently, I worked with a service member who’d been deployed multiple times in his 20 years as a soldier.  He’d come to see me at his wife’s urging and he began our work together by describing recent … Continue reading →

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The Sounds of Silence

Posted on May 26, 2018 by chris cannida

photo credit – chris cannida A Memorial Day reflection The Last Roll Call – a military unit’s profound measure of bidding final farewell to a fallen comrade.  If you’ve never witnessed one – and I hope you haven’t had intimate … Continue reading →

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“You Get It” – 3 Tips for Civilian Therapists Working with Military Clients

Posted on May 5, 2018 by chris cannida

I’ve worked closely with members of the armed forces, honored as they handed me their trust, sometimes reluctantly.  While humbled they would allow me in to their world by way of painful disclosures, I find myself especially so (humbled) when … Continue reading →

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Staying Connected While Serving Apart

Posted on December 22, 2017 by chris cannida

photo credit: chris cannida, 2012 A young military spouse I know just received the best Christmas gift ever. Her husband returned safely from deployment – just in time for the holiday season. It’s been a long deployment and while she’s … Continue reading →

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A Good Soldier

Posted on November 11, 2017 by chris cannida

“A good soldier is always trying to improve. Always striving to be better.” That was part of my husband’s response offered to a civilian co-worker who asked if he (my husband) thought he (the co-worker) would have made a good … Continue reading →

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Finding Life after Service

Posted on August 19, 2017 by chris cannida

In war, there is nothing more definite than the line between life and death. For many who’ve seen combat and have developed their sense of self within the parameters of war, this line can become a barrier to successful reintegration … Continue reading →

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Lessons from the Military Child

Posted on April 2, 2017 by chris cannida

by Chris Cannida, LPC (April, 2017) April is the Month of the Military Child She was a tiny, freckled soldier. Sitting alone. Frown on her face. Undistracted by art and activity all around, the significance of the day was not … Continue reading →

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lessons from the field

Posted on November 11, 2016 by chris cannida

this is dedicated to my father who was in France on that day in the 1940’s.  he taught me my first lessons in loving a veteran.  *Most come prepared. I wouldn’t expect a former green beret, a navy seal, a … Continue reading →

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lessons from the field manual

Posted on November 11, 2016 by chris cannida

this is dedicated to my father who was in France on that day in the 1940’s.  he taught me my first lessons in loving a veteran.  *Most come prepared. I wouldn’t expect a former green beret, a navy seal, a … Continue reading →

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