Veteran Spouse Resiliency Group

Curriculum-Driven, Peer-Led Support

The V-SRG program is offered through three different models 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 the state of Texas. Participants can take part in our traditional 12-Week groups, attend a V-SRG Mini-Series, or pop into our one-time Solo Session offerings. Learn more about each program model below: 

In its traditional format, the V-SRG curriculum is designed to be administered by 2 veteran spouse peer leaders over the course of 12 weeks. Each week, a group of 6-8 participants meets for 2 hours to discuss that week’s session topic. Our 12-week groups close to new participants after the second session to allow the group to build trust and rapport as they discuss sensitive content. Traditional 12-week groups are offered in both virtual and in-person formats.

We know that 12 weeks is a large time commitment that may not be achievable for all possible program participants. As a result, we also utilize the V-SRG curriculum in a mini-series format, packing different curriculum sessions into a shortened offering. Mini-Series can range in duration, topics covered, and some series may be open to new participants each week, while others may close to allow the same group of spouses to build trust and rapport as they meet. Mini-Series sessions are also led by veteran spouse peer leaders. Sessions may be offered in both virtual and in-person formats, and some sessions may also be open to active-duty spouses/partners in addition to veteran spouses/partners.  

In addition to the Mini-Series sessions, the V-SRG curriculum is utilized in one-time Solo Session offerings, where participants can sign up for the session topics that interest them. V-SRG Solo Sessions are also led by veteran spouse peer leaders and may be offered in both virtual and in-person formats. Some Solo Sessions may also be open to active-duty spouses/partners in addition to veteran spouses/partners. 

Upcoming Groups

V-SRG Leader presenting with sticky notes

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 1 year of separating from the military
  • Commit to attending all 12 sessions (for the traditional 12-week groups), barring any unforeseen emergencies.

Program Overview

As families transition from active-duty military life, to post-service life, they experience a multitude of changes that can include geographic relocation, navigating new career and educational pursuits, family reintegration, new mental and physical healthcare needs, and the re-establishment of community supports. The adjustment to civilian or post-service life requires hard work from the entire family and can be a source of stress that leads to interpersonal struggles within the family. 

As peers ourselves, we understand the value and benefit of strong supportive communities that offer peer-based guidance and understanding to help address the unique challenges of post-service family life. Out of this understanding, 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 that they can rely on well after the group ends.

Our groups focus on helping participants prioritize their own wellness, and 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, by veteran spouses, and has evolved over the years based on program evaluation, and participant and leader feedback to ensure the curriculum addresses the topics you need it to, in the way you need it to! 

Curriculum

As social work researchers and veteran spouses ourselves, we strongly believe in involving our communities in all research and program development efforts. As such, the Veteran Spouse Network adheres to the participatory action research philosophy, engaging our community in program development to ensure we design programs that truly meet the needs of those they intend to serve.  

In line with that philosophy, the V-SRG curriculum was initially developed by conducting focus groups with veteran spouses to better understand their experiences, challenges, and needs, in order to 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. Today, the curriculum is in its 6th edition, with curriculum updates still drawing from the participant and leader feedback to ensure the program evolves as required by our network.  

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.

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

Register For a Group

We are currently solidifying summer group details. 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.

Interested in one-on-one peer support?

The VSN is now offering Peer 2 Peer Connect (formally called ‘Resiliency Check-Ins'), which provide you the opportunity to receive virtual one-on-one support from our VSN Peer Leaders. While this is not a substitute for clinical therapy, it gives you a chance to receive the 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!

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.