Healing Starts Here: Inside the Mission of The Headstrong Project

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the ATLVets Tampa Speaker Series, host Zack Knight sits down with Kristen Rheinlander, Director of Partnerships at The Headstrong Project. Broadcasting from the Centre Club in Tampa, this live session captures a candid and compelling discussion around trauma-focused mental health care for veterans, the stigmas that prevent service members from seeking treatment, and how organizations like Headstrong are eliminating those barriers. Kristen shares her journey as an Army brat turned nonprofit leader, her career path from USO and HireMilitary to leading corporate partnerships at Headstrong, and the incredible impact her team is making through trauma-informed therapy. Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of:How Headstrong partners with major organizations like Wounded Warrior Project to deliver over 250,000 clinical sessions since 2012.Why military cultural competency is critical in mental health care.The importance of confidentiality and patient-directed engagement in building trust.A 98% retention rate after the first therapy session—and why that matters.How corporate partnerships, funding, and community collaboration are vital to expanding Headstrong's impact nationwide. Whether you're a veteran, corporate leader, mental health professional, or simply someone who cares about the well-being of our military community, this episode is a must-listen. Key Topics:Mental health stigma in the veteran communityThe problem with PTSD as a limiting diagnosisHeadstrong's care model: trauma-focused, confidential, stigma-freeAccess to care in under 13 days vs. 30+ days at the VAImportance of wraparound services and referralsCorporate partnerships with Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and moreSupporting veterans through transition with peer referrals and community connection Featured Guest: Kristen Rheinlander, Director of Partnerships, The Headstrong Project Host: Zack Knight, Founder & CEO of ATLVets Call to Action: To learn more about Headstrong or connect someone with services, visit theheadstrongproject.org. To get involved with ATLVets, attend future speaker series events, or become a corporate partner, visit atlvets.org. Special Thanks: To the Centre Club Tampa for hosting and to all the incredible veterans, corporate leaders, and nonprofit partners who joined us for this powerful conversation. Subscribe and Share: Be sure to follow the ATLVets Podcast for more inspiring conversations from leaders on the front lines of transition, mental health, and community impact. #ATLVets #HeadstrongProject #VeteranMentalHealth #TampaVeterans #MilitaryCulturalCompetency #MentalHealthAwareness