Soldier's Heart

Ed Tick, PhD, Director

Dr. Edward Tick, author of the groundbreaking book “War and the Soul” and founder of Soldier’s Heart, is a practicing psychotherapist specializing in veterans with PTSD. Ed received his master’s in psychology from Goddard College, Vermont and his doctorate in communication from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY. Ed has been in private psychotherapy practice since 1975 and began focusing on veteran’s issues in 1979. His pioneering work with Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or, in his words, ‘loss of the soul’, is the basis for his recent book “War and the Soul”. He continues his healing work with veterans and other trauma survivors with innovative yet time-honored methods. Ed has extensively studied both classical Greek and Native American traditions and successfully integrates their methods into modern clinical work. A widely published writer, he is also the author of “The Golden Tortoise: Journeys in Viet Nam”, “Sacred Mountain: Encounters of the Vietnam Beast”, and “The Practice of Dream Healing: Bringing Ancient Greek Mysteries into Modern Medicine”.

Kate Dahlstedt, MA, LMHC, Co-Director

Kate holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology as well as post graduate certification from the Hartford Family Institute. She has maintained a private practice for nearly three decades, is an experienced group leader, and has clinical experience as a sexual assault consultant, a Hospice Senior Social Worker, and an adjunct professor and Mental Health Counselor at Russell Sage College in Troy, NY. She is a published writer of journal articles, poetry and a book chapter in Beyond Forgiveness: A Reflection on Atonement. Kate co-founded Soldier's Heart with her life partner, Ed tick, in 2006 and continues as its Co-Director.

Paula Griffin, Program Manager

Paula has a BA in Sociology. She has extensive expereince in counseling and social work with individuals and families who are in distress. She loves people, the outdoors, and has a passion for restorative justice.