*Sandy Wilkins* had been having a fairly normal day in the small town of Metzger, Oregon until the news about the spreading bird flu outbreak hit. Memories of *Sandy's* traumatic childhood living on a poultry farm came flooding back, triggering anxiety and fear.

The news report about the virus spreading to a sixth Victorian farm struck a particularly raw nerve for *Sandy* who had helped raise thousands of chickens as a child, many of whom suffered from illnesses. *Sandy* felt powerless then, and the news dredged up those old feelings of helplessness.

Seeking a way to process this trigger, *Sandy* discovered the Stepping Into Action online program. The courses provided mindfulness techniques to address *Sandy's* underlying trauma. Gradually, *Sandy* learned to separate the past from the present and regain a sense of control.

'I used to let these memories dominate me, but now I have the tools to put them in their place,' *Sandy* remarked. 'The bird flu news is serious, but it doesn't have to send me into a spiral.'

Some mental health experts praised online programs like Stepping Into Action for increasing access to PTSD and trauma recovery resources. 'When stigma or logistics make in-person treatment difficult, quality online options can be a gamechanger,' said Dr. Rachel Green.

However, others cautioned against seeing online courses as a panacea. 'Nothing replaces human interaction and personalized therapeutic care,' countered Dr. Michael Rowe. 'Online programs can be a useful complement but shouldn't substitute professional treatment for serious mental health issues.'

For *Sandy*, though, the online tools made a profound difference in finally feeling free from the grips of the past. While controversy remains around such programs, *Sandy* felt grateful to have found a way to heal that didn't require traveling far from Metzger.

Nearby: McLoughlin Washington, Image Washington, Vancouver Washington