Director’s Corner: Finding Meaning in the Midst of Trauma
by Dr. Chip Benight
Writing the Director’s Corner is always a humbling experience. I often wonder whether my reflections will resonate with those who read them. As I sat down to write this piece, I found myself thinking about a dear colleague, Dr. Dan Gottlieb, and the profound role that purpose and meaning play in our lives, especially in the lives of trauma survivors.
Dr. Gottlieb’s story is one of extraordinary resilience. Early in his career as a psychologist and a young father, Dan was involved in a devastating car accident. A truck tire broke loose on the highway and crashed through his windshield, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. The physical and emotional trauma he endured was immense, and his journey toward healing was anything but linear. Yet, through this life-altering experience, Dan discovered a renewed sense of purpose: helping others navigate their own paths through trauma and adversity.
His approach to care is deeply rooted in our shared human experiences - vulnerability, the need for connection, and the desire to be seen and understood. Dan’s story is a powerful reminder that healing is not just about recovery; it’s about rediscovering meaning and building resilience. I encourage you to hear his story in his own words - his talks on YouTube are both moving and inspiring.
At the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience, we’ve built our clinical programs around this very philosophy. Our Milestones Resilience Care model is grounded in four foundational pillars, one of which is the pursuit of purpose and meaning. This model guides our work at both of our clinics: the Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic and Milestones Resilience Care.
The Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic is dedicated to serving those who have borne the weight of service - military Veterans and their families - many of whom carry invisible wounds from combat, loss, and reintegration. Our team provides trauma-informed care that honors their experiences and supports their journey toward healing and wholeness.
Meanwhile, Milestones Resilience Care offers a broader scope of services to individuals from all walks of life who are navigating trauma, adversity, or significant life transitions. Whether someone is coping with grief, recovering from abuse, or facing a major health diagnosis, our clinicians use the Milestones model to help clients build resilience, reconnect with their values, and rediscover meaning in their lives.
In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, I find myself - like many of you - searching for deeper purpose and the threads that connect us. Dan’s story offers a path forward, reminding us that even in the face of profound loss, we can find strength, compassion, and clarity.
At the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience, we remain committed to walking alongside those on their healing journeys, helping them uncover the meaning that can transform pain into purpose. I hope that Dan’s story, and the work we do at our clinics, offers you a sense of hope and direction as you navigate your own path.
To learn more about the Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic, you can visit the HealthCircle VHTC webpage here. Or you can learn more about Milestones Resilience Care at it's official website here.