PCS to Alaska: Finding Your Footing as a Service Member or Military Spouse

By Christi Kersten, MA, LPC · Telehealth for adults 18+ in Alaska

Orders to Alaska can bring excitement and dread in the same breath. The scenery is extraordinary. So is the adjustment: long winters, high costs, long distances from family and, for many spouses, starting over again with a new job search, new routines and a new support system.

As a Navy Gold Star spouse, I have lived through PCS moves, deployments and the realities of military healthcare. I also know how often service members and spouses put their own needs last.

Common challenges after a PCS to Alaska

• Isolation. Family and friends may be several time zones and an expensive flight away.
• Seasonal shifts. Long dark winters and nearly endless summer light can throw off sleep and mood.
• Role changes. Spouses may leave careers behind; service members may face demanding schedules or field time.
• Deployment and reintegration. Separation, then reconnecting, can strain even strong relationships.
• EFMP and caregiving. Navigating specialized care far from familiar providers adds another layer.
• Stress that builds quietly. Short tempers, trouble switching off or a sense of always bracing for the next move.

What therapy can offer

Therapy gives you one place where you don't have to hold it all together. Together we can work on stress, anxiety, grief, adjustment and the emotional load of military life, using practical, evidence-based approaches like CBT, ACT and trauma-informed care.

Sessions are by secure video, so you can meet from home, on or near base, without adding a commute to an already full schedule. I work with adults near JBER, Eielson AFB, Fort Wainwright, Fort Greely, Clear Space Force Station and Coast Guard installations in Kodiak, Sitka, Ketchikan and Juneau.

Using your coverage

I am in network with TRICARE West Region and many commercial plans. You can verify your insurance before your first session.

Service members and veterans in crisis can call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, or text 838255.

Related: Therapy for Service Members, Veterans & Military Spouses · Teletherapy in Alaska