About

In 2004, Dr. Judith Broder took a walk on the beach. She came across Arlington West, the “temporary cemetery” that was installed near the Santa Monica pier in order to bring public attention to the growing death rate of the Iraq War. Soon after, she attended a production of The Sandstorm, a play about marines coming home from the conflict in Iraq, and decided that as a psychiatrist, she needed to do more to help a new generation assimilate back from war. The Soldiers Project was born.

With help from colleagues and friends, The Soldiers Project launched as a sponsored project of the Los Angeles Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Studies Trauma Center. For many years, the organization relied solely on the generosity of volunteers and pro bono mental health professionals. In September 2010, The Soldiers Project was incorporated as 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and began to hire its first professional staff.

Since then, The Soldiers Project has provided free and confidential treatment to thousands of military service members and their families, and provided trainings in best clinical practices to thousands of clinicians via in-person conferences, symposia and online webinars.

We believe that the psychological connection to the therapist is of primary importance in enhancing the healing process. We favor an individualized approach to care, and let our volunteers do their work independently. Our therapists come from a wide variety of clinical backgrounds, but all are fully licensed and insured by the state in which they practice.

Our services are completely confidential. We understand that choosing to see a mental health provider is a decision that many individuals would like to keep private. We respect your right to privacy and never share details about who contacts us for help.

2018 Board of Directors

• Omie Ismail – Board
• Mark Lange – Board
• Ryan Hall – Board
• Ray Chen – Board

HONORARY BOARD

Betsy Butler: Executive Director, California Women’s Law Center, Former Member, California State Assembly (2010-2012)

Senator Thomas D. Croci: New York State Senate, District 3

Sharon Davis: Former First Lady, State of California

Sean Huze: Actor/Screenwriter/Playwright

Ellen Goosenberg Kent: Director/Producer

Debbie Gregory: Founder, VAMBOA.org – Veterans and Military Business Owners Association. Director of Employer Engagement – California ESGR

Roy Jasso: Vice President, Community Development, Wells Fargo

Teri Kelsall: Founder, Jonas Project

Congressman Ted Lieu: U.S. House of Representatives, 33rd District, California

David Morris: Former Marine Infantry Officer, Writer

Toni Reinis: Co-Founder and Former Executive Director, New Directions for Veterans

Dr Marvin Southard: Professor of Practice at USC School of Social Work

FOUNDER