Curriculum-Driven, Peer-Led Support
The Veteran Spouse Resiliency Group (V-SRG) Program provides curriculum-driven support groups for veteran spouses/partners. These groups provide a safe space for peers to come together, share their stories, lean on one another for support and guidance, and form lasting bonds they can rely on well after the group ends. The V-SRG program is offered in three different formats to ensure that program participants can interact with the curriculum and receive the support they need based on their schedules and availability. All three models are offered in both in-person and virtual formats, with virtual offerings open nationally (unless otherwise specified) and in-person offerings throughout Texas. Participants have the option to attend the 12-week groups, the 6-week mini-series, or the one-time solo session events. Learn more about each program format below:
These closed groups are based on a 12-week curriculum, administered by 2 veteran spouse peer leaders. Each week, a group of 6-8 participants meets for 2 hours to discuss that week’s topic. 12-week groups are offered in both virtual and in-person formats.
Scroll down to the ‘Curriculum’ section to view a full list of session topics.
The mini-series offers an abbreviated version of the 12-week group curriculum. Despite the shorter duration, the mini-series offers a similar opportunity for a closed-group experience, where participants can build trust and rapport with each other, while exploring a range of topics. Sessions may be offered in both virtual and in-person formats.
Session Topics Included:
- Session 1: Sharing Our Stories
- Session 2: Taking Care of Ourselves
- Session 3: The Invisible Wounds of War & Suicide Prevention
- Session 4: Compassion Fatigue & Boundary Setting
- Session 5: Love & Relationships
- Session 6: Moving Forward
Solo sessions allow participants to sign up for individual topics that interest them, pulled from the 12-week curriculum. As with 12-week and 6-week groups, solo sessions are led by veteran spouse peer leaders and are offered in both virtual and in-person formats. Depending on session topics, some solo sessions may also be open to active-duty spouses/partners.
Upcoming Groups
Register for a Group
Groups are frequently being added to our calendar. As groups are finalized, more information will be added to this page and will also be listed on our events page. To register for an in-person or online group, please complete the brief registration form by clicking the button below.
If you are a past participant of the V-SRG, you are encouraged to register for another group if interested. We update the curriculum frequently, and many find participating in another group with new spouses to be supportive and provide them with an added layer of meaningful growth and insight. Another great opportunity for past V-SRG participants is to consider serving as a peer leader. Learn more by visiting our Leadership Opportunities page.
Interested in one-on-one support?
Consider signing up for Peer 2 Peer Connect, the VSN’s exclusive opportunity for individuals to receive virtual one-on-one support from a VSN Peer Leader. While this is not a substitute for clinical therapy, it provides the chance to receive one-on-one support that may not be possible in group settings. If you are a military/veteran spouse, partner, family member, or divorced or widowed from a service member or veteran, consider signing up today!
Eligibility
The V-SRG program is designed for the spouses/partners of transitioning and post-service veterans, as the curriculum topics are specific to post-service life. In-person groups are currently offered in select cities in Texas, and participants must reside close enough to the meeting location to be able to commit to attending all sessions, barring any unforeseen emergencies. Virtual groups are open nationally unless otherwise specified. To be eligible for the V-SRG program, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be the spouse/partner of a post-service veteran, OR
- Be the spouse/partner of an active-duty service member who is within one year of separating from the military
- Commit to attending all sessions for closed groups (either 6 sessions for mini-series groups or 12 sessions for 12-week groups), barring any unforeseen emergencies.
Program Overview
As families transition from military, to post-service life, they can experience many changes that are often difficult to navigate. This may include geographic relocation, navigating new career and educational pursuits, family reintegration, new mental and physical healthcare needs, and finding new community supports. Adjusting to civilian or post-service life requires hard work from the entire family and can be stressful.
As peers ourselves, we understand the value and benefit of strong supportive communities that offer peer-based guidance and help you settle into post-service family life. The Veteran Spouse Resiliency Group (V-SRG) Program was developed in 2017 as a curriculum-driven, peer-led support group for the spouses/partners of transitioning and post-service veterans. These groups provide a safe space for peers to come together, share their stories, successes, and challenges, lean on one another for support and guidance, and form lasting bonds they can rely on well after the group ends.
Our program evaluation has shown that spouses who complete the group experience an increase in their quality of life, self-care practices, and social support, as well as a decrease in mental health symptoms such as anxiety and depression. This program was designed for veteran spouses/partners and has evolved over the years based on participant and leader feedback to ensure the curriculum continues to address the issues and topics most relevant to our participants.
Curriculum
The Veteran Spouse Network embraces a participatory action research philosophy, engaging our community in program development to ensure we design programs that truly meet the needs of those they serve.
The V-SRG curriculum was developed by conducting focus groups with veteran spouses in order to understand their experiences, challenges, and needs, which in turn inform curriculum and program development. When the first edition of the program was piloted in 2018-2019, program evaluation and feedback surveys were administered to all leaders and participants to ensure the program was positively impacting participants as designed, and to gather feedback on needed improvements.
The V-SRG curriculum is designed to facilitate group discussion across a variety of topics that are unique to the veteran spouse/partner experience, where participants can share their challenges, strategies, and successes, while both receiving and providing support and guidance to their peers. While the majority of the curriculum is discussion-based, sessions also include educational content, skill-building exercises, activities, and conversation sparks in the form of videos and excerpts.
Curriculum Sessions
Session 1: Taking Care of Ourselves
Session 2: Sharing Our Stories
Session 3: Setting Goals
Session 4: The Lingering Effects of Service
Session 5: Life Transitions
Session 6: Trauma, Secondary Trauma & Compassion Fatigue
Session 7: The Invisible Wounds of War: TBI & PTSD
Session 8: The Invisible Wounds of War: Moral Injury, Addiction, & Suicidality
Session 9: Seeking Help
Session 10: Love & Relationships
Session 11: Our Families
Session 12: Moving Forward
Listen to veteran spouse Anne Jackson share her story and discuss the importance of spouses coming together to support one another. Anne was one of the spouses involved in developing the first iteration of the V-SRG curriculum and was instrumental in helping to ensure the V-SRG program would meet the needs of veteran spouses.