As we step into 2025, the VETS Women’s Programs are set to expand and deepen their impact, offering even more opportunities for connection, growth, and true wellness. Our mission is to create a supportive and transformative space for women, guided by the invaluable feedback from our community. I am personally focused on deepening connection, increasing access to our current offerings, and diving deeper into true and lasting wellness for our program participants.
After gathering feedback from the community, our Women’s Programs will be incorporating additional times for our existing group calls, in hopes to reach those whose schedules do not currently allow for consistent attendance. We hope that by offering a variety of time slots for our groups, we will be able to offer accessible support for all who wish to attend.
Our workshop calendar continues to focus on new skills that promote healing and wellness for both men and women in our program. We are keenly aware of the need for a healthy familial system to promote the best possible outcomes for mental health. In recent months we have hosted workshops for navigating parenting with mindfulness, moving through the holiday season with greater ease and presence, and practicing skills from Internal Family Systems to better understand our patterns of behavior and engage with others to work toward compassionate resolution and accountability.
As we look ahead into 2025’s workshop offerings, we plan to teach effective communication, navigation of grief and loss, expressive arts, trauma and stress release, and a new focus on physical wellness including nutrition and hormonal balance.
At VETS, we deeply value positive social relationships and remaining connected to others with shared experiences. Feedback from our recent survey confirms that the VETS Women’s Programs provide a sense of connection and community for our participants. In 2025 we will deepen this interrelation with in-person gatherings including daytime events and weekend-long retreats.
For those who are unable or not interested in participating in group events, one-on-one direct support continues to be available on an ongoing basis with myself (Director of Women’s Programs), in addition to a new focus on our Peer Support Ambassadors. Our Peer Support Ambassadors play a vital role in fostering connection and providing guidance. With expanded training and collaboration in 2025, these ambassadors will be even better equipped to support participants through challenging times and encourage meaningful engagement. All women in the program have access to our peer supporters on an ongoing and indefinite basis.
About Breanna Crenshaw, Director of Women’s Programs
Breanna Crenshaw is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, the spouse of an Army veteran and grant recipient. Breanna has been working with veteran suicide prevention since 2021 and as a VETS Community Member took great interest in giving back to the mission.
Breanna’s clinical experience began in crisis intervention and domestic violence, later moving into hospice where her understanding and interest in the impacts of trauma and resilience took form. Breanna has focused her continued education on alternative methods of healing including the pursuit of her 200 hr Yoga Teacher Training, somatic experiencing, and various trainings around psychedelic assisted therapy. Breanna served as a clinical director for a ketamine assisted therapy clinic prior to her role at VETS.