Doc Springer has been there for us since day one. She has been a part of our “sacred circle.” She has heard and seen our souls cry.

“Shauna’s creative and ingenious approach is a welcome addition to the national dialogue on suicide prevention. She effectively cuts across disciplines and breaks down prohibitive silos to bring through a new way of understanding a complex issue to both military/veteran and civilian populations. The field of suicide prevention and our communities are much better off thanks to Shauna and her work.”

“Dr. Shauna Springer has proven to be an asset to leadership within both the military and veteran community. Her dedication to Veterans and their families is very clear and she has uniquely perceptive abilities that are greatly valued within the suicide prevention community. Fortunately for us – she has always been available to consult and share her expertise with our staff, veterans and family members. A true treasure.”

Over 19 years as an infantry Marine and I have never met someone like Shauna "Doc" Springer. She was able to empathize with me, become a part of the pack, and translate my inner thoughts into constructive interactions. I think of her as one of the corpsmen embedded into my platoon.

Dr. Springer understands how and when to ask bold questions and make necessary blunt statements in order to heal or guide.

Shauna is someone I deeply trust, and that doesn't come easy between combat Veterans and (former) VA psychologists. She isn't afraid to enter, what can often be, the lion's den of peoples' minds. She joins people where they're at, and literally and figuratively, enters their wilderness alongside them. Dr. Springer did not self-appoint herself the nickname, "Doc Springer" -- rather that coveted term, given only to those we truly respect, was given to her by Veterans, born out of countless hours of listening to, caring for, and cultivating understanding for Veterans' experiences.

Doc Springer is one of us... she understands a warrior’s worth beyond war. She is a key member of my tribe and I know she's always got our six!

As a three-time combat veteran and former battalion commander, I don't see Doc Springer as a practitioner that supports the military community, I see her as standing within our ranks to tackle those unspeakable issues shoulder to shoulder with the men and women who endure invisible wounds from otherwise forgotten wars.

As a Marine Corps combat veteran and licensed clinical social worker in the VA, I recognize her impact in the veteran community and ability to earn the trust of a population that can be very guarded. More than any other civilian, Shauna “gets it.” Her continued work and writing will fundamentally change the way we work with veterans experiencing grief, loss, and trauma.