Comfort

Holistic Recovery in Healing Environment

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compassion behavioral health residential facility for mental health and addiction treatment
Addiction and Mental Health Treatment Residential Facility in Hollywood Florida - Compassion Behavioral Health

 

 

 

 

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Compassion Behavioral Health Yoga Session

 

 

 

 

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Patient Stories

TRUSTED BY THE COMMUNITY

Crystal M.
7 days ago
My experience with the the Case Manager Elena Morales was amazing, she is extremely helpful and most importantly she truly CARES which is hard to find in facilities like these. Especially being that she is the only case manager on staff. She went out of her way to get me a dental appointment and get me food stamps. She also got my cell phone turned back on which was way above and beyond. I can't say enough wonderful things about Elena's professionalism and just all around amazing treatment for her clients
Hilary B.
1 week ago
My time at CBH was a positive experience overall. After a mental health crisis, you are connected with a team of professionals who truly want to help people get better. They provide tools, coping strategies, and life skills for a wide variety of mental health struggles. My therapist that was especially helpful to my healing process was Sarah, I could not have been able to get through this without her. Further the facilitators Jake, Raquel, and wellness coach Kelly were all good people that taught you valuable skills in and out of CBH.
Allan M.
1 week ago
The staff was always kind and very responsive with all my needs, the food was good and there was always snacks and ice cream on deck. Everything was very clean and they even do your laundry for you. I definitely recommend CBH to anyone taking their first steps into recovery.
Marylou A.
1 week ago
I went to compassion for my mental health, I improved a lot with my emotions and learned to control myself. Elena the case manager helped me organize my appointments for my physical health and is a really nice gal. Jake the facilitator also is the best I always want to be in his groups because it’s very entertaining and also a lot of good insights on how to be a better person, some of the topics he gives is a reality check and it will make you process a lot. Overall the place is really nice and they are compassionate just like there name.
Chidubem I.
2 weeks ago
I am very very happy that I came to this place for treatment. I had kept my life on pause for a long time and Compassion helped remind me why life was worth living again. I loved all the friends I made here, the groups were amazing! Shout out to my therapist Shauna! Shoutout to the group counselors Gary and Kelly! I LOVEDDDDD the Yoga sessions. Thank you Sebastian for teaching me to play ping pong. Thank you Cindy for going above and beyond and baking us desserts and setting up games. Thank you Elena for helping me when I needed to order items. I really did enjoy my time here a lot, I am so glad I came. Thank you all so much.
Outcome Driven

Clinically Significant Improvements

Most patients at CBH experienced meaningful reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health conditions during treatment, with improvements sustained after discharge.

Data derived from 1,043 patient surveys conducted by Greenspace Health, a third-party clinical research firm, from August 2024 to August 2025.

159 %

Improvement in Minimal to
No Depression Symptoms

167 %

Improvement in Minimal to
No Anxiety Symptoms

88 %

No Longer Showing Severe
PTSD Symptoms

Admission Process

The Path to Recovery Starts Here

mental health and addiction rehab admission step 1
Step 1

Get in Touch

Start your recovery journey: Call or contact us online

mental health and addiction rehab admission step 2
Step 2

Pre-Admission Assessment

Confidential assessment to tailor your treatment plan

mental health and addiction rehab admission step 3
Step 3

Verification of Insurance

We verify your coverage and clarify costs with your insurer

mental health and addiction rehab admission step 4
Step 4

Admission

Set your admission date and prepare for your stay

Ashley
Stories Change Here

“My Life now feels like being in color. I am a lot happier and I can feel alive again.”

Watch Her Full Story
Catherine
Stories Change Here

“I needed to be there for myself, for the kid that never had that person.”

Watch Her Full Story
Theresa
Stories Change Here

“I took everything I learned at CBH and applying it today and that is why I can smile today”

Watch Her Full Story
Ashley J.
Depression
Catherine G.
Depression
Theresa B.
PTSD

Meet Your Support System

Expert Licensed Clinicians Committed to Your Recovery

  • Lisa Micheletti

    Lisa
    Micheletti, LMHC

    Executive Director
  • Ana - Clinical Director at Compassion Behavioral Health in Hollywood, Florida

    Ana
    Carbonell, LMHC

    Clinical Director
  • Barbara Barroso

    Barbara
    Barroso, LCSW

    Clinical Director
  • Jawad Daud

    Dr. Jawad
    Daud, MD

    Medical Director
  • Aimee Payton

    Aimee
    Payton, APRN, PMHNP-BC

    Nurse Practitioner
  • Monya Holt

    Monya
    Holt, LMHC

    Primary Therapist
  • Sarah Pastor

    Sarah
    Pastor, LMHC

    Primary Therapist
  • Stephine Yaskal

    Stephanie
    Yaskal, MS, CAP

    Primary Therapist
  • Aimee Rolle

    Aimee
    Rolle, MS

    Primary Therapist
  • Greg LoForte

    Gregory LoForte, LMHC

    Family Therapist
  • Paula Buitrago

    Paula
    Buitiago, RMHCI

    Primary Therapist
  • Shauna

    Shauna
    Dworkin, MS, RMHCI

    Primary Therapist
  • Briana

    Brianna
    Mendoza, MSW, RCSWI

    Primary Therapist
  • Tharlene Pou

    Tharlene
    Pou

    Neurofeedback Technician
  • Michelle Blair

    Michelle
    Blair,APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC

    Nurse Practitioner
  • Heather Brathwaite

    Heather
    Brathwaite, PhD, PMHNP-BC

    Nurse Practitioner
  • Lauren Chambers

    Lauren
    Chambers

    Operations Manager
  • Elena Morales

    Elena
    Morales

    Case Manager
  • Ivo Garcia

    Ivo
    Garcia

    Housing Supervisor

EMDR Therapy for Veterans: Reprocessing Trauma to Restore Mental Health

In South Florida, many veterans carry intrusive memories, moral injury, and hyperarousal long after returning home. Military training hardwires survival reflexes that keep you alive in combat, yet those same reflexes can drive nightmares, triggers, and isolation in civilian life. When trauma is treated first, substance use patterns often ease because the brain is no longer trying to numb relentless distress.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy that helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they lose their high emotional charge. EMDR Therapy for Veterans uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or taps, to improve how memories are stored and reduce symptoms like flashbacks, anxiety, and shame. It is not hypnosis and does not require graphic retelling; you remain grounded, present, and in control.

With the right preparation, pacing, and veteran-competent care, EMDR can restore a sense of safety, reconnect you with purpose, and improve sleep and relationships. As trauma softens, you gain room to address co-occurring substance use with more stability and less avoidance.

Veteran participating in EMDR therapy with a licensed trauma therapist in South Florida

What Is EMDR and Why Is It Especially Effective for Veterans With PTSD?

EMDR is an eight-phase, trauma-focused psychotherapy that reduces distress linked to specific memories and updates negative beliefs. By engaging bilateral stimulation while recalling a targeted event, the brain reprocesses stuck material and integrates it adaptively. For veterans, this can mean fewer startle responses, less guilt or anger, and a clearer sense of control.

Military trauma often involves repeated exposures, moral dilemmas, and sensory-rich triggers that keep the nervous system on high alert. EMDR allows careful, titrated access to these memories without prolonged exposure or extensive detail, which many patients appreciate. The approach is collaborative, paced to your tolerance, and grounded in stabilization so you feel safe throughout. You can read more about our Trauma-focused PTSD treatment offered in Fort Lauderdale.

The Clinical Evidence Behind EMDR Therapy for Combat Trauma and Military PTSD

Major guidelines, including the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline, list EMDR as a first-line treatment for PTSD. Randomized controlled trials with active-duty service members and veterans show meaningful reductions in re-experiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal, and trauma-related guilt. Benefits often persist at follow-up, supporting durable change rather than temporary symptom relief.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses report large effect sizes for EMDR across diverse trauma populations, including combat trauma. Some studies suggest lower dropout compared to certain exposure-based therapies, which matters when trust and engagement are fragile. Whole-person supports can further enhance outcomes, as described in our overview of Holistic healing for PTSD.

What Veterans Can Expect During EMDR Sessions at Compassion Behavioral Health

At Compassion Behavioral Health, veterans work with licensed EMDR-trained therapists who keep caseloads small and know each patient by name and story. Preparation includes grounding skills, sleep hygiene, and distress tolerance skills from CBT and DBT so your nervous system has anchors. Spencer, a 21-year U.S. military veteran and our Director of Veteran Services, helps coordinate care, navigate VA benefits, and support TRICARE East needs.

  • Check-in, goals, and a safety plan
  • Calming and resilience “resourcing”
  • Short sets of bilateral stimulation
  • Brief breaks to report changes
  • Closure and after-session plan

Sessions move at your pace, and you do not need to share graphic details to make progress. Family involvement is invited when clinically appropriate, and our team monitors sleep, nightmares, and triggers between sessions. Learn more about Our Veterans Program in South Florida.

How EMDR Integrates Into CBH’s Full Dual-Diagnosis Treatment Program for Veterans

Trauma treatment comes first at CBH, because unprocessed PTSD often drives substance use, insomnia, and irritability. EMDR is integrated with medication management, neurofeedback, CBT, DBT, and SMART Recovery, while 12-Step groups remain optional. Our Hollywood campus provides medical detox and residential care, and our Fort Lauderdale center delivers PHP, IOP, and OP with the same care team for continuity.

  • CBT and DBT to strengthen coping
  • Medication management using GeneSight when appropriate
  • Neurofeedback to support regulation
  • Family therapy and Compassion Connections
  • Canine Assisted Therapy and expressive arts

Care is LGBTQIA+ affirming, veteran-competent through PsychArmor, and guided by an empowerment-based PHP leveling system that opens family therapy and therapeutic passes as you advance. We respond to lapses compassionately so a lapse does not become a relapse, and we are accredited by JCAHO, AHCA, DCF, and recognized by NAMI. Explore how trauma-first care and substance use support work together in Our dual-diagnosis treatment in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions About trauma-focused EMDR care for veterans

Here are clear answers to common questions veterans and families ask:

  1. Is this different from exposure-based therapy?

    Yes, EMDR uses brief sets of bilateral stimulation while recalling a target, not prolonged exposure. Many patients prefer its pacing and the limited need to describe events in detail.

  2. Will I need to describe combat experiences in detail?

    No, meaningful progress can happen without graphic recounting. You remain in control of what you share at all times.

  3. Can I do EMDR if I am taking psychiatric medication?

    Yes, EMDR can be combined with medication management. Your prescriber and therapist coordinate to monitor sleep, arousal, and overall stability.

  4. How does this approach address substance use with PTSD?

    Treating trauma first reduces the need to self-medicate, which supports sustained recovery. Your care plan also includes relapse prevention and skills for cravings.

  5. Do you accept TRICARE and help with VA-related needs?

    Yes, TRICARE East is accepted and our veteran services director assists with benefits navigation. We coordinate with outside providers as needed for continuity.

  6. Is this appropriate if I have mild TBI or moral injury?

    Many veterans with these concerns benefit, though treatment is individualized. Your clinician tailors targets and pacing to your history, symptoms, and goals.

Struggling with EMDR Therapy for Veterans?
We can help

Key Takeaways on EMDR Therapy for Veterans

  • EMDR helps reprocess traumatic memories so they lose toxic intensity.
  • Evidence supports strong PTSD symptom reductions for service members.
  • Sessions at CBH are veteran-competent, paced, and skills-backed.
  • EMDR integrates with dual-diagnosis care, medications, and family work.
  • Care is accredited, affirming, and designed for lasting stability.

EMDR gives veterans a structured, compassionate path to reduce intrusive memories and reclaim daily life. When trauma softens, co-occurring substance use becomes easier to address, and relationships often strengthen.

If you or a loved one is ready for trauma-first treatment delivered by a team that knows veterans and their families, start a confidential conversation with Compassion Behavioral Health. Our Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale teams coordinate care across detox, residential, PHP, IOP, and OP. We accept TRICARE East and work closely with families every step of the way. Call 844-503-0126 to get help now.

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