Manitowoc, Wis. - Psychotherapist Monique Litersky of Aurora Behavioral Health Center in Manitowoc recently attended a conference entitled, "The Shadow of War," which was a part of a symposium held at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay as part of their grief, bereavement and resiliency certification program.

At the conference, she enhanced her knowledge about the readjustment issues facing veterans returning from deployment and the effects on their children and families. There were also breakout sessions, which focused on resources for veterans and their families, different modalities of therapy, and how war has been portrayed and dealt with dating back to the Civil War.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the most common mental disorder of veterans returning from deployment was post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is a condition affecting the emotional and biological health of an individual. PTSD affects 13 percent of all veterans, which is well above the rate of 3.5 percent found in the general American population.

According to Litersky, both therapy and medication should be used to treat post traumatic stress disorder.

Litersky works with veterans and their families and has extensive experience helping people facing post traumatic stress disorder and grief and loss issues.

Litersky earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee and is a licensed clinical social worker at Aurora Behavioral Health Center, 1425 Memorial Drive, in Manitowoc. She has more than 14 years of experience working with children and adolescents in one-on-one and family settings.

Aurora Health Care is a not-for-profit Wisconsin health care provider and a nationally recognized leader in efforts to improve the quality of health care. Aurora offers services at sites in more than 90 communities throughout eastern Wisconsin.

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Contact: Jen Strebel (920-496-6369)