Photo courtesy of Alliant Couple and Family Center – San Diego.

Cheers to the Columbus Dispatch in Ohio for this article about a retreat for military couples.

The program at the Chalmers P. Wylie Department of Veterans Affairs Ambulatory Care Center is facilitated by social worker Bill Bailey.

Individuals in relationships change over time and it is essential couples grow together if the partnership is to survive. However, this is more difficult for couples where one or both people is in the military and may be posted overseas.

“Your life at home pauses,” said Mike Taylor, 35, an Army Reservist. “It’s at a standstill. But your wife and kids keep going. You come back, and things have changed.”

Taylor said he used the retreat for bonding time with his wife without their three children.

During retreats couples are taught ways to communicate and bond, Bailey said.

The National Association of Social Workers is committed to supporting the health and welfare of the our veterans and their families. Professional social workers can find resources to help veterans by visiting the NASW “Social Work with Veterans and Military Families” website by clicking here. And consumers can learn more about the services social workers provide veterans and their families by visiting NASW’s “Help Starts Here” Veterans Affairs website by clicking here.