This case study appears in the NCIOM's Task Force on Veterans' Health Report, "Honoring Service and Ensuring Care for North Carolina’s Veterans, Families, and Caregivers." The report will be released in November 2026.

Since 2022, the THRIVE Program has served more than 500 participants, from first responders to active duty service members, recently transitioning Veterans, and Veterans who have been out of active service for years but continue to struggle with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The program offers a unique approach, combining clinical care with a variety of behavioral health services.

For people experiencing the lasting effects of TBI and PTSD, finding the right combination of care can be challenging. Treatment may involve multiple providers, appointments, and types of therapy, often requiring patients to navigate a complicated health care system while already managing the effects of their injuries.

The THRIVE program aims to make that process easier by offering a comprehensive slate of services under one roof, at no out-of-pocket cost to participants.

“One strength is the fact that we have so many providers working together,” said Master Sergeant (Retired) Samuel Rodriguez, the THRIVE program’s Veteran outreach program coordinator. “There are other factors that influence someone with TBI. If my assessment shows that I’m OK cognitively, but I’m still showing other symptoms, we can work as a team to find, for example, if behavioral health therapy will help.”

THRIVE participants begin with a three-day, interdisciplinary evaluation that covers an array of clinical, physical and behavioral health factors. After the initial evaluation, eligible participants can choose to participate in a three-week intensive outpatient program, which includes multiple types of therapy, including equine and art therapy, acupuncture, moral injury discussions, reading groups, and yoga and mindfulness sessions.

On the clinical side, the program also offers diagnostic tools and treatments that aren’t available in other, less specialized, settings. For example, participants experiencing dizziness may have access to specialized assessment and treatment aimed at addressing their underlying vestibular issues, rather than simply having medication to dampen their symptoms.

“THRIVE is a uniquely impactful program in our state that serves Veterans, first responders, and active duty service members to mange complex injuries in a way that traditional health care settings would find difficult,” said Dr. Jason P. Mihalik, Director of the Matthew Gfeller Center and Chief Executive Officer of the THRIVE Program.