A Manmade Disaster Requires a Human Response

To our network of providers and the federal community,

Starting today, I will be offering this blog to keep you updated on the evolution of Therapy4Feds. My goal is simple: to share stories that highlight the human cost of the recent upheaval in the federal workforce and to ensure that those who served our country are not left behind in the wreckage.

The Invisible Scar

I worry that the disaster over 350,000 federal employees suffered will be forgotten by those not directly impacted. After a life-changing flood or fire, residents carry the scars for a lifetime. Not so for the general public. After the headlines fade, it often takes only a few weeks for those who did not experience the shock to forget the victims.

Our federal workforce has experienced a manmade disaster as devastating as any natural one. Careers built on decades of service were dismantled in months, leaving a wake of trauma that "business as usual" cannot fix.

A Historic Parallel

That is why I am so grateful to Hannah Natanson, the Washington Post investigative reporter who recently won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. Her work, including the landmark piece “The Year Trump Broke the Federal Government” (non-paywall summary via Pulitzer.org), documented how the system was torn asunder and the human cost for those caught in the vortex.

I believe her reporting will be every bit as historically significant as Woodward and Bernstein’s reporting was in 1973 when revealing the Watergate Scandal.

Just as Watergate redefined our understanding of power, Natanson’s work has redefined our understanding of the vulnerability of the people who keep our country running.

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How You Can Help

We cannot let the 2026 news cycle move on while our neighbors are still struggling. History records the events, but we must care for the people.

For Mental Health Providers

We are looking for licensed therapists (LCSW, LPC, PhD, MD) to join our volunteer network. By offering even one pro-bono or low-cost session (capped at $30), you help a public servant navigate the trauma of a lost mission.

Join the Network Here  

For Former Federal Employees

You served the country; now let us serve you. If you are struggling with anxiety, loss of purpose, or the stress of this transition, you are not alone. Our network offers at least five free or reduced-cost sessions to help you find your footing. 

Find a Therapist Here  

History may move on, but your well-being remains our priority.