About Us

Convergence is a nonprofit Veteran support organization promoting Veterans’ mental health and healing, particularly among Veterans with PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

Our unique collaborative approach to Veteran support sets us apart from other organizations. We believe no single agency or organization can solve these complex issues alone, hence our name – Convergence.

We have created a comprehensive and innovative support system that has never been done before.

We are different in that we work closely with many partners, doing everything as a team. Our teammates include government agencies, businesses, healthcare providers, and other nonprofits.

We are bringing together multiple organizations’ collective resources, expertise, and community connections to achieve the goal.

Together, we make a real and massive difference in the lives of Veterans and their families.

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Mission

Our mission is to provide personalized and innovative opportunities for Veterans in need, offering them the resources and support necessary to overcome physical and psychological challenges.

Vision

The vision of the Convergence team is a world where our Veterans have access to all the resources, tools, benefits, and support they deserve.

Through our dedication and commitment, we strive to honor the sacrifices of those who have served by enabling them to lead fulfilling and empowered lives.

Importance

Convergence was founded and continues to be run by a team of Veterans and their supporters.

We know it is crucial to support Veterans’ mental health as they often face unique challenges that can lead to mental health concerns such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicide.

Veteran’s Mental Health Crisis

During over two decades of continuous war, starting in 2001, the United States deployed over 2.7 million voluntary service members to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Among those that returned home, an estimated 1/3 or more suffer from PTSD, depression, or other trauma-related conditions. These conditions have significant negative impacts on Veterans’ health and well-being.
According to the 2022 National Suicide Prevention Annual Report by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, from 2001-2020, suicide rates among Veterans have been from 12.1 to 66.2% higher than those of non-Veterans.
Although the VA has taken steps to improve Veterans’ access to mental healthcare by allowing Veterans to see non-VA mental health professionals, it simply isn’t enough.
A 2018 study from BMC Health Serv found that 77.9% of eligible Veterans lived in rural communities, and of these rural Veterans, 70.2% were in areas with a mental healthcare shortage.
These disheartening statistics clearly show that the current resources for treating PTSD, depression, and other mental health issues for Veterans are insufficient.
We MUST provide additional support for our returning service members – support that doesn’t rely on the VA or overwhelmed local mental health providers in the rural areas where many Veterans live.
Convergence is an innovative solution that improves the lives of Veterans by providing them with a single point of contact for a multitude of accessible mental health resource and support to tackle the challenges they face every day.
We support Veterans’ mental health through programs centered on the healing power of animals, nature, and mental health professionals.

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Our Therapy Resources

Convergence is an innovative solution that improves the lives of Veterans by providing them with a single point of contact for a multitude of accessible mental health resource and support to tackle the challenges they face every day.

Our focus is on addressing the complex symptoms of PTSD and other mental health conditions that affect military men and women after their service.

We believe that our collaborative approach will significantly reduce the rates of suicide, depression, and other mental health issues among the Veterans we serve.

Our vision is to change the narrative of Veteran mental health, and we are excited to partner with other organizations, agencies, and individuals who share our commitment to this cause.

We use a holistic and innovative approach to supporting Veterans’ mental health through programs centered on the healing power of animals, nature, and mental health professionals. Our team of partnered licensed mental health professionals are in 12 states and growing.

Our team of partnered mental health professionals take the guess-work out of mental health.
We connect Veterans with care providers who have experience working with Veterans or (in some cases) who are Veterans themselves.
Training, riding, and spending time interacting with horses has been shown to promote improved mental well-being, particularly among Veterans who engage in these therapies with their partners.
Convergence provides equine therapy opportunities in partnership with Mirror Ranch, located in Northeastern Washington.
The underwater diving environment is also known to have a positive impact on mental health, particularly among those with PTSD.
In fact, a study by Johns Hopkins reported an astounding 80% reduction in PTSD symptoms post-dive.
Convergence provides dive therapy opportunities in partnership with M/V Ceaseless Explorer, currently based out of Isla Mujeres, Mexico (near Cancun).
A VA study on the benefits of service and emotional support animals found that Veterans’ mental health was improved “from having a companion animal, likely due to the strong human-animal bond which helped the owners to cope more effectively in times of crisis.”
Convergence partners with several animal rescues to pair waiting pets with our Veterans.

A key component of mental health for Veterans is to recognize that just because your military service has ended, that does not mean your mission is over.
For many Veterans, continued commitment to service is a key piece of their post-military life.
Your life still has purpose. There are people in this world whose lives you have the ability to improve.
Convergence brings Veterans together in a team environment to conduct humanitarian and environmental aid missions both in the U.S. and abroad.
By accomplishing the shared goal of helping others, our Veterans in turn help themselves. We are “Veterans Helping Veterans Helping Others.”
Therapeutic retreat programs give Veterans the opportunity to physically remove themselves from their everyday environment and be transported into a new space where accelerated growth and healing are possible.
Convergence currently offers two distinct retreat opportunities through partnerships:
Mirror Ranch in a remote area of Eastern Washington hosts Dialectical Behavior Therapy and equine therapy programs.
M/V Ceaseless Explorer is a 48′ Veteran support vessel currently stationed on an island just off the coast of Cancun, Mexico.
The Ceaseless Explorer is a multi-mission platform hosting a SCUBA therapy program and carrying out humanitarian aid missions using Veteran volunteers as her crew.
While visiting or crewing aboard the M/V Ceaseless Explorer, Veterans are immersed in a familiar team environment with the camaraderie that many miss from their service days.
Ceaseless Explorer crew give back through participation in various types of scientific research programs through our partnership programs including the Marine Observer Program through NOAA.

Partner Highlights

Mirror Ranch

Training, riding, and spending time interacting with horses has been shown to promote improved mental well-being, particularly among Veterans who engage in these therapies with their partners.

Convergence provides equine therapy opportunities in partnership with Mirror Ranch, located in Northeastern Washington.

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Sullivan Lake

Sullivan Lake, located in the northwest Washington mountains, is a stunning example of the beauty of our country's wilderness. It offers world-class recreational opportunities such as fishing, camping, canoeing, and hiking. During winter, it transforms into a winter wonderland, offering unique opportunities such as ice fishing and views of bighorn sheep. With its rich history, this lake serves as a beacon of exploration and rejuvenation, inviting our veterans to connect with nature and create lasting memories in the great outdoors. Our partnership with the US Forest Service allows us to use Sullivan Lake which is a few klicks away from Mirror Ranch our equine therapy partner.

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Support Convergence with your purchase from Armed Forces Gear

When you click the link below and make a purchase from Armed Forces Gear, 20% of the proceeds will be donated back to Convergence.

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Our Leadership Team

Convergence is a program founded and led by Veterans, First Responders, and mental health professionals. Our senior leadership team members bring a combined wealth of personal and professional experience navigating the types of mental health and well-being challenges our Veterans face in their post-military lives.

Daniel’s professional career includes senior executive roles in Fortune 250 organizations in marketing resource management, IT, and supply chain.
He currently works as a consultant, volunteer firefighter, and rancher in the Inland NW, where Convergence offers equine therapy to Veterans with PTSD.
Erbling brings a personal perspective to Convergence’s mission as a current TBI patient whose treatments, insurance claims, physiological, and psychological events afford him a firsthand perspective of what Veterans encounter with their disability claims, post-military careers, and adjusting to civilian roles.

Mark is a U.S. military Veteran whose background includes training as an EMT/Medic along with completion of several pre-hospital emergency care and other advanced medical training courses.
Mark is a certified peer counselor, Veterans’ assistance liason, critical incident stress de-briefer, and is trained in cognitive hypnotherapy.
Mark’s passion is to assist returning Veterans who have physical and/or psychological trauma which is beyond the scope of currently available VA support.
Mark provides Veterans with dive therapy and reintegration training via humanitarian outreach mission participation opportunities aboard the M/V Ceaseless Explorer.

Erin Driskill, LCSW, is the founder and director of Choose Well-Being Psychology Education.
She has her Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work and over 15 years of experience working in community mental health at the first worldwide Dialectical Behavior Therapy clinic
Erin has extensive experience with high-risk populations, including suicide substance, trauma, loss, co-morbid disorders, chronic depression, panic, and anxiety.

Nathan Akridge has served 22 years in the United States Army. During that time, he deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, and served along the Southwest U.S. border.
Akridge has served as a Public Affairs NCO, a Family Advocacy Specialist, and a Community Relations NCO.
His passions include volunteering and he continues to help out at the Killeen Food Care Center during his spare time.
Akridge’s long-term goals include getting his dog Olivia trained as a service dog and to continue serving the Active Duty and Veteran communities.

Howard is a creative photographer, filmmaker, creative designer, and storyteller with experience in creative direction and operations management. He enhances and streamlines creative workflow processes and technology integration initiatives to deliver valuable client solutions. Howard helps brands connect meaningfully through empathy, emotion, and big ideas. He works collaboratively with other practice leads to create brand and marketing strategies and launch marketing campaigns that drive revenue. Howard is passionate about elevating brands and his team.