Evaluation Proves Trauma Recovery Program Supports Veterans Facing PTSD

Designed to bring about practical long-term solutions for those navigating service-related trauma, this four-day educational program is tailored by veterans for current and ex-serving ADF personnel, and explores strategies to tackle symptoms that come as a result of PTSD.   

Former Army Sergeant and graduate of the REBOOT Trauma Recovery Program Sean de Gelder served in the military for 14 years and undertook multiple deployments to Timor Leste.  

Image supplied - Sean de Gelder in East Timor.

Upon discharging form the Army in 2013 to follow a career in fuel operations, Sean later found himself battling with PTSD and the symptomatic effects of substance abuse before he was officially diagnosed with PTSD in 2017.  

Searching for answers and struggling to reconcile the impacts of his time in service, Sean said completing the program helped both himself and his wife better understand trauma – and how to manage it – and find tools like communication and forgiveness, which have helped them through some dark places.  

“In 2011, my wife and I decided to end our then five-year marriage. At the time, I was not diagnosed, in bad shape, and couldn’t provide emotionally for our then two-year-old,” Sean said.  

“Some time later, I reconciled with my wife, and we remarried. I was now diagnosed, and we came across the REBOOT program.  

“We both attended together, and our marriage has never been better – it’s now been eight years since we re-married.” 

Sean said the REBOOT program helped him to find purpose and, forgive himself and others.  

Sean de Gelder conducts a rugby league coaching clinic with local kids at Dili Stadium while on deployment to East Timor in 2010.

“The program facilitators' lived experience meant participants felt understood and were able to relate to their stories of trauma and struggle,” he said.  

“Seeing how they managed and coped gave me hope that I could too.”  

About the program  

Tailored to instil hope, healing, and purpose, PTSD Resurrected delivers an intervention for current and former serving ADF personnel and their partners, or close network, who are experiencing feelings of anxiety or questions regarding their service that can lead to internal conflict or moral injury. 

PTSD Resurrected Founders Andy and Zoe Cullen say the course is designed to equip participants with real strategies to help them deal with the symptoms of PTSD.  

“We don't just look at the symptoms like anger, isolation, or alcoholism and drug abuse – we go a little deeper,” explains Andy.  

“We examine the root cause of why that's happening in their lives and look at things like forgiveness of self and others, guilt, shame, and suicidal ideation.  

“The program places tools in participants' hands to identify emotional experiences or the personal responses they're having to the trauma they've faced.” 

The evaluation  

To examine the measurable outcomes of the REBOOT program for veterans and their families, RSL Queensland recently commissioned a program evaluation with Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation (GMRF).  

The GMRF evaluation confirmed the impact the REBOOT program has for veterans. Findings revealed participants reported a 20% improvement in symptoms of psychological distress at the end of the program, with a further 20% improvement at follow-up.    

RSL Queensland partnered with Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation in 2013 to pioneer groundbreaking research into PTSD.

Participants also reported that levels of perceived social support improved by 20% at post-program, with changes maintained at follow-up. Additionally, participants’ sense of wellbeing increased by 27% at the completion of the program.  

Overall, the communal aspect of the program was found to be extremely helpful, enabling those involved to feel deeply understood, supported and less alone.  

RSL Queensland Deputy CEO Veteran Services Troy Watson says the research findings affirmed the positive feedback received from a broad range of participants and highlighted the beneficial impact of the program within the veteran community.  

“Our partnership with PTSD Resurrected works to support veterans and their families, by equipping them with the tools needed to navigate the symptoms of PTSD,” Mr Watson said.  

“As the program continues to expand and reach more people, we are looking forward to seeing more and more veterans find healing and purpose.”  

Offered online or in-person, the PTSD Resurrected REBOOT Trauma Recovery Program is free for veterans, thanks to the support of RSL Queensland. 

For more information or to sign up, visit https://www.rslqld.org/find-help/ptsd-resurrected.  

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