No one desires to endure the anguish of losing a loved one. However, there are individuals who, after navigating their own grief, utilize their experiences to assist others. Katie Travis, the senior peer mentor coordinator at TAPS, is one such person.
Travis, who dedicates her full-time efforts to the TAPS program and provides grief counseling through the Schorman Center at Hospice of Warren County, grew up in a military environment. "My father completed basic training just days after I was born and served in the Army/Special Forces for the following 27 years," she shared.
Being raised as a child of a service member, Travis had the early opportunity to work with military families. "I worked with military children, teaching art and drama in an after-school program," she explained. "However, I found the most fulfillment when I assisted counselors in conducting counseling groups on deployment, PCS-ing (permanent change of station), bullying, and other challenges faced by military children. This motivated me to become a counselor with the aim of working with military kids and spouses."
However, in 2014, her life took an unexpected turn. "My significant other, who was an active-duty Army combat medic battling PTSD, died by suicide," Travis revealed. "My world shattered, and for a long time, nothing felt right. But I sought the help of a grief counselor and embarked on a journey of post-traumatic grief recovery."
Travis mentioned that she encountered numerous obstacles due to her unmarried status, as the government did not recognize her as her partner's family and provided no assistance. It wasn't until 2018, while working at the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, that Travis's career path began to take shape. She was introduced to the president and founder of the TAPS program, as well as the director of its women's empowerment program.
"Little did I know, my executive director's wife had shared my story with them," she said. "Mind you, it's not a story that many people are aware of. It's not exactly common to introduce yourself by sharing the challenges you've faced."
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