The Emergency Mind Podcast Episode 120 - On Coming Home with Dr. Art Finch
Oct 13, 2025
Dr. Art Finch, a psychologist and former U.S. Army clinician with over two decades of service, discusses the nuanced process of reintegration for operators returning home. He emphasizes that coming home is a skill requiring preparation and patience for both operators and their families. Art introduces a new workbook, 'On Coming Home,' designed to guide families and operators through this journey. The conversation touches on emotional compartmentalization, recognizing small positives, and the daily practice of gratitude to enhance wellbeing.
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Coming Home Is A Process
- Coming home is a process, not an event, because both the operator and the family change over time.
- Reintegration requires patience and deliberate catalysis to align two moving trajectories.
Both Sides Change During Separation
- Both family and operator ecosystems keep evolving while separated, so reintegration must acknowledge parallel change.
- Time doesn't stop for either side, making reconnection an alignment task rather than restoration.
Deliberately Catalyze Reintegration
- Deliberately scaffold reintegration instead of waiting for it to happen on its own.
- Use briefings and structured tools to catalyze natural healing and speed better outcomes.