Colorado Springs is home to one of the largest military populations in the United States. Service members stationed at Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and the U.S. Air Force Academy carry responsibilities that few civilians fully understand. For many, those experiences continue long after deployment ends.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can affect every part of daily life. Sleep becomes difficult. Relationships suffer. Concentration declines. The nervous system remains on alert long after the danger has passed.
PTSD is not a character flaw or a sign of weakness. It is a recognized medical condition that develops after exposure to traumatic events. Effective treatment exists, and advances in neuroscience have created new options for people who have not responded to traditional approaches.
Colorado Psychiatry Solutions provides specialized PTSD treatment for veterans, active duty personnel, and military and first responders throughout Colorado Springs. Founded by veteran psychiatrist Dr. Ashley Johnson, the practice offers advanced treatments including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and ketamine therapy. The clinic accepts TRICARE and VA Community Care, making specialized care more accessible to military families.
Ready to discuss treatment options? Contact Colorado Psychiatry Solutions to schedule a consultation and learn which PTSD treatment approach may fit your needs.
Understanding PTSD in military personnel and veterans
PTSD is a trauma and stressor-related disorder that develops after experiencing or witnessing life-threatening events. Military service can expose individuals to combat operations, training accidents, military sexual trauma, severe injuries, and other experiences that place extraordinary stress on the brain and body.
Symptoms generally fall into four categories:
- Re-experiencing symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive memories
- Avoidance of reminders associated with the trauma
- Negative changes in mood, beliefs, or thinking patterns
- Hyperarousal symptoms including irritability, hypervigilance, and sleep disruption
Military populations face several additional risk factors. Combat exposure can create repeated traumatic experiences over extended periods. Some veterans also struggle with moral injury, which involves distress related to actions taken or witnessed during service. Others may experience PTSD alongside traumatic brain injury (TBI), depression, or anxiety disorders.
Research from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that roughly 11% to 20% of veterans who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom experience PTSD during a given year. While evidence-based therapies and medications help many patients, a substantial percentage continue to experience symptoms despite treatment.
That gap has led to growing interest in advanced interventions that target the neurological changes associated with PTSD.
Advanced PTSD treatment options at Colorado Psychiatry Solutions
Colorado Psychiatry Solutions focuses on complex and treatment-resistant mental health conditions. For veterans and active duty personnel who have not achieved sufficient improvement through psychotherapy or medication alone, the clinic offers treatments designed to address PTSD at the level of brain circuitry.
Two of the most promising options are TMS therapy and ketamine therapy.
TMS therapy for PTSD
TMS for PTSD uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific regions of the brain involved in emotional regulation and fear processing.
PTSD affects communication between several brain regions. The amygdala, which helps detect threats, often becomes overactive. At the same time, areas of the prefrontal cortex responsible for regulating emotional responses may become less active. This imbalance can keep the brain trapped in a persistent survival state.
TMS therapy targets these dysfunctional networks. During treatment, a specialized device delivers focused magnetic pulses to precise areas of the brain. These pulses influence neural activity and can strengthen pathways involved in emotional regulation.
Clinical studies have shown meaningful reductions in PTSD symptoms following structured TMS treatment courses. Researchers have reported improvements in PTSD symptom scores, reductions in intrusive thoughts, and better emotional control among veterans and active duty service members.
Treatment is performed in an outpatient setting and does not require anesthesia or sedation. Patients remain awake throughout the procedure and can return to work or normal activities afterward.
A typical treatment course includes approximately 36 sessions over six to nine weeks. Sessions generally last between 20 and 40 minutes. Many military personnel schedule appointments before or after duty hours.
Benefits of TMS therapy may include:
- No systemic medication side effects
- No recovery period after treatment
- No memory impairment
- Non-invasive treatment without surgery
- Compatibility with many existing medications
Colorado Psychiatry Solutions also offers Accelerated TMS for qualified patients who need a condensed treatment schedule. Accelerated protocols can deliver multiple treatment sessions per day, shortening the overall treatment timeline.
Veterans with coexisting traumatic brain injury may also be candidates for TMS therapy, making it an attractive option for military populations with complex clinical histories.
Interested in TMS for PTSD in Colorado Springs? Schedule a consultation to determine whether TMS may be appropriate for your symptoms and treatment goals.
Ketamine therapy for PTSD
Ketamine therapy has emerged as another promising treatment option for individuals with treatment-resistant PTSD.
Unlike traditional psychiatric medications that may take weeks to produce noticeable effects, ketamine often works much more quickly. Some patients report meaningful symptom relief after one to three treatment sessions.
Researchers believe ketamine works by increasing neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form and reorganize neural connections. This effect may help disrupt rigid trauma-related thought patterns and support healthier emotional processing.
Ketamine appears to influence several brain regions commonly involved in PTSD, including:
- The amygdala
- The hippocampus
- The prefrontal cortex
Colorado Psychiatry Solutions offers multiple ketamine-based treatment options.
IV ketamine infusions
Intravenous ketamine remains the most extensively studied delivery method. IV administration allows clinicians to adjust dosing carefully while monitoring patients throughout treatment.
SPRAVATO (esketamine)
SPRAVATO is an FDA-approved nasal spray containing esketamine. While approved for treatment-resistant depression, many patients experiencing PTSD alongside depression may qualify for treatment. Insurance coverage pathways are often stronger for SPRAVATO than for traditional ketamine infusions.
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy combines ketamine treatment with structured therapeutic support. Patients work with mental health professionals to process insights, emotions, and experiences that emerge during treatment.
Integration sessions play an important role in maintaining progress. Processing experiences after ketamine treatment can help patients apply therapeutic insights to daily life and strengthen long-term outcomes.
Some veterans express concerns about ketamine because of prior substance use histories. Treatment at Colorado Psychiatry Solutions occurs within a medically supervised environment. Every patient undergoes careful screening before treatment begins, and a history of substance use does not automatically exclude someone from consideration.
To learn whether ketamine therapy may help your PTSD symptoms, contact Colorado Psychiatry Solutions for a personalized evaluation.
Combining TMS and ketamine: The CPS integrative approach
Many veterans with severe or long-standing PTSD require more than one treatment strategy.
TMS and ketamine affect the brain through different mechanisms. TMS promotes gradual rebalancing of neural circuits involved in emotional regulation. Ketamine can produce rapid symptom improvement while creating a period of increased neuroplasticity.
When used strategically, these approaches may complement one another.
Colorado Psychiatry Solutions provides access to both treatments under one roof alongside therapy services and psychiatric medication management. This integrated model allows providers to tailor treatment plans based on each patient’s symptoms, treatment history, and goals.
For veterans who have spent years cycling through medications and therapy without sufficient relief, a combined approach may offer another path forward.
Insurance and discounts for military patients
Colorado Psychiatry Solutions works to make advanced PTSD treatment accessible to military families.
The clinic accepts:
- TRICARE
- VA Community Care
- TriWest
- Aetna
- Cigna
- UnitedHealthcare
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Medicare
Patients can learn more about insurance accepted through the clinic.
Colorado Psychiatry Solutions also offers a 20% community discount for active duty military personnel, veterans, and eligible dependents.
Coverage for services such as ketamine therapy, TMS therapy, and SPRAVATO may vary depending on the specific insurance plan. Patients are encouraged to contact the clinic directly for benefit verification and treatment authorization guidance.
Additional information is available on the clinic’s military & first responders page.
Have questions about TRICARE or VA Community Care coverage? Contact the clinic and speak with a member of the care team.
Frequently asked questions about PTSD treatment for veterans in Colorado Springs
Does TMS work for combat PTSD?
Research suggests that TMS can reduce PTSD symptoms in many patients, including veterans with combat-related trauma. The treatment targets brain regions involved in fear regulation and emotional processing. Colorado Psychiatry Solutions offers specialized TMS for PTSD protocols designed for these conditions.
Is ketamine safe for veterans with a history of substance use?
Ketamine treatment includes a detailed medical and psychiatric evaluation before treatment begins. A history of substance use does not automatically disqualify a patient. Providers assess risks carefully and determine whether treatment is appropriate. Learn more about ketamine therapy options available through Colorado Psychiatry Solutions.
Does CPS accept TRICARE for PTSD treatment?
Yes. Colorado Psychiatry Solutions accepts TRICARE and works with military patients seeking advanced PTSD treatment. Coverage varies depending on the service being provided. Visit the clinic’s insurance page or military services page for more information.
How is CPS different from the VA for PTSD treatment?
Colorado Psychiatry Solutions provides access to advanced interventional psychiatry treatments including TMS and ketamine therapy. Patients often benefit from shorter wait times and individualized treatment planning. Veterans referred through VA Community Care are welcome. Providers can also coordinate care through the clinic’s referral page.
PTSD treatment is available in Colorado Springs
PTSD can affect every part of life, but it does not have to define the future. Veterans and active duty service members deserve access to treatment options that reflect the latest advances in mental health care.
Colorado Psychiatry Solutions was built with that mission in mind. Under the leadership of veteran psychiatrist Dr. Ashley Johnson, the practice offers specialized care designed for military communities, including TMS therapy, ketamine treatment, medication management, and coordinated mental health services.
To take the next step, Request an Appointment or Learn About Our Military Services today.
