Professional counselors in Wasilla experienced in working with the military population and veterans.

The stressors of military life are complex, and at MSMH, we are aware of the unique and individual challenges that our service members, and their families, often face.  Common challenges that many of us struggle with related to elements of anxiety or depression, for example, are exacerbated by stressors around deployment, relocation, trauma, etc.   At MSMH, we are motivated to care well for our military community, and are committed to offering quality confidential care for the men and women who serve, and their families.  

Some of the struggles that we often see with our Active Duty Military personnel, Reserve Members, Veterans, and their families, include:

  • PTSD

  • Insomnia

  • Military Sexual Trauma

  • Transitional Issues

  • Relocation Adjustment

  • Deployment Stress

  • Relocation Adjustment

  • Reintegration Challenges

  • Greif and Loss Counseling

  • Job Stress

  • Moral Injury

  • Chronic Pain

  • Substance Use

  • Tobacco Cessation

  • Institutional Betrayal

  • Identity Issues

  • Marriage and Family Challenges

  • Parenting and Parent Communication

  • Balance Between Duty and Family Life

  • Medical Board and Discharge Process

If you or someone you love is navigating any of the above challenges and you’re open to support, please reach out. We’re here to help, and we would be honored to walk alongside you as you navigate the unique challenges associated with military life.

Meet our professional counselor with military specific experience.

  • Wasilla Military Counseling Abigail

    Dr. Abigail Millard - PsyD

    Abegail has been serving clients in the mental health field since 2017, and has experience working with people across the lifespan. She enjoys carrying a diverse caseload, and has worked with an array of clients across a variety of settings. As a 10-year Veteran of the United States Coast Guard, she is especially passionate about providing psychological support to Veterans, and Active Duty personnel. She is thrilled to call Alaska home, while taking advantage of every opportunity for adventure. When not at work, you will find Abegail practicing yoga, paddle boarding, ice fishing, or entertaining friends and family.

What you can expect from professional counseling.

At MSMH, we recognize that the military community faces a very specific set of emotional and mental health difficulties that are not experienced in the same way by the general population.

Our Mat-Su Mental Health providers in the Valley believe in treating the whole person, looking not only at the symptoms causing distress, but by building a relationship that allows for connection and safe exploration of the variables that may be underlying the distress. Effectively and comprehensively addressing the challenges you’re facing with your MSMH provider may include, but is not limited to:

  • Psychoeducation and brain based science to help you understand what’s happening with your symptoms on a physiological level.

  • Coping skills to support you in managing and combating your symptoms of distress.

  • Ongoing discussion and evaluation of lifestyle choices that may be contributing to or exacerbating your symptoms. Areas of exploration may include:

    • Sleep

    • Diet/Nutrition

    • Supplementation

    • Exercise/Movement

    • Connectedness (time with family, friends)

    • Play

    • Time in nature

    • Self care

  • Exploration and treatment of life events or unresolved traumas that may be at the root of the symptoms you are experiencing.

  • A practical and effective self-care plan to support you in staying ahead of your symptoms, and effectively managing them prior to becoming overwhelmed.

Could you or your family benefit from counseling?

If you have chosen the difficult and courageous path of military service, it’s likely that you have endured life experiences that have shaped and impacted you in significant ways. Many good, but likely, many that are difficult, as well. Whatever the circumstances that bring you in; trauma, loss, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, etc., you can expect a professional, knowledgable, kind and experienced provider who will work alongside you and support you in coming to better understand, and in time, heal, the impact of those life experiences.

If you are the family or loved one of a service member, there is also space for you here. The sacrifice of military life does not fall exclusively to our active duty service men and women, but also to their families, their spouses and children. Having a space space to process through the challenges, the isolation, the upheaval, the anxiety, there’s also room for that here. You will be met with warmth, candor, understanding, skill building and resources.

If you or a loved one are a member of our military community and are struggling, please reach out. We would be honored to do this work alongside you, and we’re here to help.

How long does professional counseling typically last?

The length of time an individual is in counseling is situation specific and can vary. However, we at Mat-Su Mental Health are passionate about giving our clients the tools and skills they need to thrive and function well. We will cast a wide net at the onset, looking for all the contributing variables. We will build skills for managing symptoms and explore root causes that may be underlying your distress. We will take as little or as much time as you need, but we will do our very best to get you and yours back about the business of living your life.

How to schedule a professional counseling session in Wasilla.

Ready to get started? Call or email us today. Our contact info is at the bottom of this page.

Once you reach out, our on-boarding admin will contact you to gather information regarding your specific situation. They will explore with you what provider will likely best meet your needs, and support you in getting set up in our electronic health record.

Mat-Su Mental Health uses Simple Practice, a medical record and portal system that will allow for confidential and HIPAA compliant messaging that ensures your privacy. You will be sent a portal link that directs you to online documentation to be completed prior to your initial session.

This is a great time to ask any questions you might have. After all, where you go for support is your choice, and we want you to feel empowered to assess whether or not we are the right fit for you! Here at Mat-Su Mental Health, our providers believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is essential in the process of creating change. These initial conversations are important in assessing fit, as therapy is not “one size fits all.”

Our MSMH office is conveniently located in Wasilla. Feel free to arrive a few minutes prior to your scheduled session to grab a cup of tea and relax before session begins. We look forward to meeting you, and are honored you have chosen us to do this work alongside you.

 FAQ’s

  • Yes, we bill insurance on behalf of our clients. We also accept self pay clients.

  • We do not offer a sliding scale fee for services. Many community based mental health agencies in our area, such as Denali Family Services and Matsu Health Services, do. We would encourage you to reach out to one of them if you are in need of/ looking for services offered on a sliding scale.

  • We are in network with Premera, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, UMR, TriCare, TriWest and Moda. We bill most other insurances as a courtesy; many of which offer out of network benefits. If you are not insured with one of the above contracted payers, we would encourage you to reach out to your insurance company and find out the specifics regarding your out of network benefits for mental health services in an office setting. More often than not, our clients find out that services are covered, most often after having met their deductible.

  • MSMH has a 24 hour cancellation policy. Though our providers certainly realize that “life happens” and late cancellations are sometimes unavoidable, we do ask that you do your best to notify your provider of a cancellation 24 hours prior to your scheduled session. Doing so allows us to fulfill other clients scheduling needs, and best serve our community.

    This policy is in place out of respect for our providers, AND our clients. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice are difficult to fill. By giving last minute notice, or no notice at all, someone else is prevented from scheduling into that cancelled slot, and a 60 minute hole is left in your providers schedule.

    Please be aware that clients who no call/ no show or cancel last minute will be responsible for the full billable cost of their missed session.

    In an effort to avoid such circumstances, MSMH does offer a courtesy contact, either by text or voicemail, 24 hours prior to your scheduled session. Should you receive this notice and realize you are unable to attend the following days appointment, please communicate that directly with your provider through a phone call, text or email.

  • At MSMH, we do not have a psychiatrist or prescribing physician on staff. Unfortunately, we do not offer any medication management services at our practice. If you think you may benefit from medication, please reach out to your Primary Care Physician, and or a community based mental health agency, as they do have med management providers in house. We are happy to offer therapeutic supports to pair alongside med management services, but we do not do the prescribing.

  • We do not offer court mandated evaluations. If you have been ordered by the court to receive an evaluation, you can likely get this completed at one of the community based mental health agencies in our area.

  • Inform us as soon as possible about any insurance changes. Please bring your new insurance card to your next appointment and any related documents.

  • We offer individual therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, group therapy, and specialized counseling for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

  • Each counseling session typically lasts 50 minutes. We also offer extended sessions upon request.

  • Yes, we provide online counseling through a secure telehealth platform. You can book these sessions just like in-person appointments.

  • Confidentiality is paramount in our sessions. Information is only shared with your consent, except in cases of harm to self or others, as required by law.

  • In emergencies, call 911 or your local emergency number. You can also contact crisis hotlines for immediate assistance.

  • Bring any relevant documents, a list of questions or concerns, and be ready to discuss your goals for therapy. Think about what you want to achieve through counseling.

  • Yes, you can choose your therapist based on their specialties and your preferences. We can also help match you with a therapist who fits your needs.