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Healthy relationships enrich our lives in many ways. Whether building a family, standing together through tough times, or having fun, many aspire to share their life with a spouse or

partner. Sometimes though, it can get tricky. You may be experiencing communication issues with a spouse and need some help problem-solving, or there may be anger and aggression issues in

your relationship. Regardless of where you are, VA can help. (Please use "Quick Escape" links if the subject matter on this webpage causes any discomfort.)

Some couples need a “tune-up” to address conflicts or complex problems that inevitably arise. Below are some options to help couples be happier and healthier.

The workbook will help you and your partner explore the health of your relationship and gain new skills to improve it. You will have opportunities to reflect on your relationship and

yourself. The HRBW is designed to be self-paced and Veteran-driven with the support of a clinician.

Every relationship has areas of strengths and challenges. Relationship Spectrum helps you identify your relationship strengths and challenges. Relationship Spectrum chart

Sometimes, relationship conflict can be more severe than improving communication; it can even be dangerous. Research shows that Veteran families are at twice the risk for Intimate Partner

Violence (IPV) than the general population.

Military family stress, deployments, the experience of trauma and health problems associated with serving can all contribute to increased levels of stress and conflict in a relationship. The

Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program provides services to those experiencing or using Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).

Services for IPV consist of individual counseling, group therapy, safety planning and providing additional resources for healing. IPV is defined as any aggressive behavior including, but not

limited to, emotional or psychological aggression, physical or sexual violence or stalking. Learn more about the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program.

A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan that includes ways to reduce risk while in a relationship, planning to leave, or after you leave.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a specific form of domestic violence that occurs between two adults and includes verbal, emotional, psychological or sexual harm (including stalking

behavior) by a current or former partner.

IPV behaviors range from infrequent verbal abuse to patterns of frequent, severe battering, sexual assault or life-threatening abuse. If you feel that you or a loved one may be in a

potentially violent relationship, planning for the safety of the person, children, pets and property is essential.

VA staff will support you to make the right decision for you. Staff will never insist that you go, make a report to the police or file a restraining order, but instead, they will help you

think through all your options.

The below safety planning resources will help you think about things you can do to increase safety. For more information or assistance with safety planning, please get in touch with Barbara

Archambeau (LCSW), Relationship Health and Safety Program Coordinator, at or connect with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), www.thehotline.org, or visit the

www.myplanapp.org website for more info.

Courage is a skills-based support group designed to help Veterans heal from the impact of sexual violence. Courage seeks to empower and support Veterans while connecting with other Veterans

of the same gender. Specific details of traumatic experiences are not shared. Still, group members explore emotions, coping skills, and strategies for healing and moving forward.

Barbara Archambeau, LCSW  Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program Coordinator  Relationship Health and Safety Program Coordinator  Cheyenne VA Health Care System  Pronouns: She/her/hers

  Mobile:   Fax:

Michael Oberst, LCSW  Relationship Health and Safety Program Lead  Cheyenne VA Health Care System  Pronouns: he/his/him  Mobile:

If you have concerns, questions or want to learn more about Relationship Health and Safety or IPV resources, please talk to your primary care provider, who can refer you to a mental health

specialist, such as a social worker or psychologist, and help connect you to support.