I've never tried hypnosis. I'm glad that worked for you. I went from doing years of CBT to doing CBT once a week and EMDR one to two times a week to now I am at EMDR or CBT one time a week.

I came in contact with a guy on my team a few years ago that said "dude, do EMDR." His wife works in therapy and she made him do it right after combat. He said it was life changing so I decided to give it a go. He said it took him four years before he finally started feeling really good. I'm a couple of years in and I can already feel some things relax in my brain. Nightmares, flashbacks, etc still get pretty intense specifically about 6 months out of the year from combat trauma but I am hoping this year will be better. My wife says "you say that every year but that never happens" lol. The body keeps the score (great read) and it is extremely difficult to overcome the natural reactions my body switches into during those months.

The VA program is called Recreation and Creative Arts Therapy. Also, the Whole Health Department in my area works to pair up with local music shops to see if they will give free lessons to veterans. Unfortunately I am located to far away from those partnerships so I cannot join in on the fun.