Program Overview
The Strong Hope™ Military Program at Salt Lake Behavioral Health is a specialized mental health and substance abuse treatment program for service members, veterans and military families. We provide evidence-based treatment of PTSD, focusing on areas of combat trauma, military sexual trauma and childhood trauma. We tailor individualized treatment in the areas of addiction, dual-diagnosis, depression, anxiety and other behavioral health needs.
The treatment team brings a wealth of experience with specific knowledge of the unique challenges service members face when receiving mental health treatment. This experience also uniquely positions us to communicate effectively with all levels of the chain of command so we consider an individual’s immediate mental health needs and the larger needs of the service.
WHAT IS STRONG HOPE?
Learn more about the key features of this specialized program.
Our Programs
To support the different needs of patients, we’ve developed the Strong Hope™ Women’s Program and the Strong Hope™ Men’s Program, which are programmed differently for those specific populations. All treatment teams include male and female staff members.
Treatments & Services
Strong Hope™ is an inpatient program specializing in the treatment of combat PTSD, military sexual trauma, childhood sexual trauma, addiction, and personality disorders in patients with a history of trauma. Service members with dual diagnosis can have both their addiction and psychiatric conditions addressed throughout the program. The program utilizes cognitive processing therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy and a variety of experiential modalities as the primary treatment modalities with alternative therapies implemented based on the individual needs of each patient after assessment.
The comprehensive treatment program includes:
- Each patient is seen by a medical provider weekly
Three to four trauma and skills groups per day
Twice weekly one-on-one therapy with an individual therapist (two sessions per week)
One or two expressive therapy/recreational therapy groups per day
Fit to Recover off-site structured fitness workout three times per week
Weekly visits to the National Ability Center (outdoor recreation)
Yoga five times per week
On-site physical therapy
Cognitive processing therapy
Cognitive behavior therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy
“Seeking Safety” trauma model
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
Experiential and somatic therapy
Relapse prevention for addictive processes and maladaptive behaviors
- Comprehensive PTSD treatment with a bio/psycho/social focus
- dOTERRA International partnership (integration of an essential oil formulated for the treatment of PTSD)
TESTIMONIALS
These are the inspiring stories of men and women who are on the road to recovery with the help of the Strong Hope™ Military Program.
“This facility, specifically the Strong Hope program, is truly life-altering. Here, I regained my will to live and discovered a purpose for my life. In the month I was here, I processed multiple traumas and was able to begin my healing journey fully. The staff is compassionate, nurturing and all have your best interests in mind. I cannot recommend this program enough. I truly believe my life was saved here, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world.”
“I was in the Strong Hope program, and I can’t express enough how much this program changed my life. The staff made the program they are very knowledgeable and attentive. Highly recommend this to anyone who needs help.”
Referrals & Admissions
Salt Lake Behavioral Health has developed the Strong Hope™ Military Programs referral and admission process so that there are only six steps from a military referral to admission.
- Call 877-640-0220. All communication is through the Military Care Coordinator until the service member arrives.
- Complete the attached Referral Form. Forward to the Military Care Coordinator with the following: Clinical symptom documentation (psychiatric evaluation, clinical notes, or biopsychosocial), current medication list, and medical information. Scan and email the packet to [email protected] or fax 877-558- 8846. If you are faxing clinical without an initial call, please call or email to confirm receipt.
- Acceptance can be made within an hour of receiving written clinical unless there are significant medical complications requiring a prompt physician review.
- Call 877-640-0220 to confirm Salt Lake Behavioral Health Military Programs have a bed reserved for the patient and ensure travel arrangements are made to the location.
- Prior authorize admission through TRICARE®.
- Coordinate travel arrangements with Military Care Coordinator and transport patient. Flight information (including escort contact if applicable) must be received before arrival to ensure ground transportation can be arranged if requested.
For more information, please see the forms below.
START THE PROCESS
If you are interested in the Strong Hope Program, you will need to reach out to your Nurse Case Manager, Therapist or healthcare provider. If they feel as though the program is appropriate for you, they can reach out to our Care Coordinator and initiate the referral process.
Schedule an In-Service Meeting or Webinar
If you are a Provider, Case Manager or in Command Leadership and would like to schedule an in-person or webinar in-service to learn more about our Strong Hope Program, please provide your information the form below.
Our Military Care Coordinator will contact you within 24 business hours to schedule your in-service. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to Dustin Gallegos, Military Care Coordinator by calling 877-640-0220 or email at [email protected].
Meet Our Team
Strong Hope Program Manager and Clinical Therapist
Sehba’s interests in trauma recovery began when she became involved in domestic violence counseling/advocacy and sexual assault crisis counseling. Witnessing the resiliency and hope in recovery prompted her to pursue her MA in Clinical Counseling at Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL. She pursued post-graduate work at the University of Michigan in Sexual Health after recognizing the need to help restore this aspect of a survivors healing process. Sehba has also completed extensive trainings in a variety of evidence-based techniques including EMDR, CPT and DBT. Sehba grew up on military installations around the globe and has always had a deep respect for the work and contributions of service members.
As a former sergeant in the US army reserve, Tom served as a combat medic with a deployment to Iraq in 2008-09. He is passionate about PTSD treatment specifically in context of serving military service members. Tom is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and completed his Doctor of Nursing from the University of Utah. He has worked in mental health for over a decade and when not providing treatment for service members, Tom enjoys marital arts, shooting and any outdoor activity.
Maggie is a graduate of the University of Utah; she earned her Master’s degree in Social Work with an emphasis in mental health. She will focus on your natural strengths so that the interventions utilized in therapy will be in line with your goals and motivations for change. Maggie’s career has concentrated on working with survivors of trauma and substance abuse. She has engaged in additional training in these areas including being trained in EMDR. By using your innate resiliency, strengths, and talents, along with her professional support, Maggie will focus on empowering you to achieve your therapeutic goals.
Kirsten received her Masters in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, CA. She has experience working with both adolescents and adults in Psychodynamic therapy and further training in both CPT and EMDR, all of which she utilizes as a therapist on the Strong-Hope treatment team. With her father having served in the Vietnam War, Kirsten has long felt a connection and respect for service members and feels privileged to be working with them in trauma recovery.
Program Recreational Therapist – Bailey is a certified recreational therapist. She earned her degree at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota. She works with service members to help reconnect them to health, wellness and recreation. She employs team building activities, outdoor recreational activities and allows for therapeutic elements of programming to be brought to lived experiences. Her objective is to help service members learn healthy coping skills through recreational therapy and create experiential processes for folks to work through their trauma. Bailey has worked at the National Ability Center for five years as part of the recreation staff helping with programs and teaching adaptive snow skiing. She found Strong Hope through the National Ability Center programming. She works very collaboratively with the treatment team planning therapeutic outings.
Dr. Dobias completed medical school and adult psychiatry residency training at the University of Utah. During her training she chose to focus much of her clinical work with the veteran population treating a broad range of mental illness and most commonly PTSD. This work has a deeply personal meaning for Dr. Dobias as well, coming from a family of career service members in multiple branches of the armed forces. Applying her skills in the military strong hope program was a natural choice based on her experience and interests.
You Are Not Alone
For more information about the program or to speak to a referral specialist, please call 877-640-0220. You can also send us a message by filling out the form below. If you are currently experiencing an emergency, please dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
3802 South 700 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
Phone: 877-640-0220
In case of a medical emergency, psychiatric crisis, or if you are at risk of harming yourself or others, CALL 911 or seek the nearest emergency room.