Our Team
Accredited Veteran Benefits Claims Specialist - Department of Veterans AffairsAccredited Veterans Services Representative (Benefit Claims Specialist) - Commonwealth of VirginiaMilitary and Veterans Health, Policy, and Advocacy - William & Mary Law School Puller ClinicVeteran Advocate Training - NVLSPAccredited Peer Specialist through Courage to Change Action Planning for Prevention and Recovery - US SAMHSAAdult Mental Health First Aid - National Council for Mental WellbeingCreative Writing - Wesleyan UniversityCultural Competence - Commonwealth of VirginiaTalk Saves Lives - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Suicide Risk Assessment - People Incorporated Mental Health ServicesSuicide Prevention Research Methods for Early Career Researchers - International Academy of Suicide Research and AFSPLocating and Understanding Data for Suicide Prevention - HealtheKnowledgeStrategic Planning Approach to Suicide Prevention - HealtheKnowledgeHow to Use the Crisis Response Plan: An Introductory Course for People Who Support Veterans (Governor’s Challenge) - Psych/ArmorSigns. Ask. Validate. Encourage and Expedite. (S.A.V.E.) for Military and Veteran Culture - Psych/ArmorColumbia Scale for Healthcare Providers – Psych/ArmorCounseling on Access to Lethal Means - ZERO Suicide Institute
Dawn Gressard, M.Ed., M.Psy.
Meet Dawn; she has been a guiding light for veterans, helping them navigate the complexities of obtaining VA benefits while working for the Virginia Department of Veterans Services for three years and on a volunteer basis for two years. Her unwavering commitment to our country's heroes is a testament to her empathy and relentless pursuit of positive change in people's lives.
Furthermore, Dawn is highly regarded as a master trainer of psychoeducation for SMVF (Service Members, Veterans, and their Families) peer specialists. In this capacity, she has played a significant role in preparing peer specialists with the tools and insights necessary to effectively support their fellow service members and veterans in their journey to recovery and resilience.
Additionally, as a certified Talk Saves Lives trainer for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Dawn has been instrumental in spreading awareness and understanding of mental health challenges and suicide prevention strategies.
Apart from her contributions to the veteran community, Dawn also brings extensive teaching experience, having worked as an educator for 15 years across different grade levels. This background not only emphasizes Dawn's dedication to lifelong learning but also her exceptional ability to convey complex concepts in a clear and understandable manner.
She is renowned for her unique focus on supporting veterans and their families, and her passion and expertise set her apart in the industry. Thus, Dawn recently founded Veteran Support Consultants, LLC, based on her strong belief in the life-changing impact of education, advocacy, and empathy. This platform provides veterans and their families with thorough guidance and strategies for navigating the VA benefits system and submitting disability benefits claims.
Buddha
Meet Buddha, a 12-year-old deaf and half-blind miniature Dachshund. He's been Dawn's loyal companion, emotional support, and lap warmer while she started Veteran Support Consultants, LLC. Buddha usually lets Dawn take charge, but he's not afraid to share his opinion from time to time.
In his free time, Buddha loves keeping an eye on the neighborhood, playing with his favorite toys, and snuggling with his mom.