Opening Up The Military, Marriage and Money Conversation with Dr. Briana Nelson Goff

Today, Ed is joined by Dr. Briana Nelson Goff, a professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences at Kansas State University. Her clinical experience and research specialization is with primary and secondary traumatic stress symptoms in trauma survivor couples, families, and children, with a specific focus on military and disaster-related traumatic events.   Listen in as Dr. Goff does a deep dive into her work and research around trauma and PTSD, particularly in relation to military families. She and Ed discuss the delicate balancing act between self-sacrificial duty to others and looking out for one’s own mental wellbeing.   They also speak on the journey from awareness of trauma, to the validation of that trauma in one’s life, to the actual work of behavioral change once that trauma has been validated.   Ultimately, Dr. Goff says that our mental health journey is not solely in the hands of a professional, that we need to take agency over our own mental wellbeing. At the same time, strong, supportive relationships are a big factor in strengthening our mental health for the long haul. In her words:   “Don’t keep it in. Get help somewhere. It doesn’t have to be a mental health person. If you’ve had a bad situation, reach out. Get the support that you need. Find your tribe. Find the people who care and bring them with you on your journey.”   Key Topics: The scope of Dr. Goff’s work on trauma (03:19) Military families and PTSD (11:24) Balancing mental health and self-sacrifice as a first responder (16:26) Protective buffering and the family model of trauma (22:20) Military families and money (30:58) Money and trauma (35:56) About EMDR therapy (39:44) Dr. Goff’s closing thoughts and words of encouragement (44:04)   Resources: Pre-sale info on Dr. Goff’s coming book: In Love and War Dr. Goff’s contact and info     Connect With Healthy Love and Money:  Schedule your free 30-Minute Discovery Call About Therapy-Informed Financial Planning™.  Learn about your money and attachment style with this short Attachment Style Quiz.  Buy the Double Award Winning Book: The Healthy Love and Money Way.   Hit Follow on Your Favorite Podcast Player To Get the Latest Episodes.