Confidential help is here in Leamington for soldiers in need of therapy

Abigail Darling, who works at the Traditional Acupuncture Centre in Binswood Street, is also the registered therapist for south Warwickshire for the charity PTSD Resolution - but she is concerned that those who could benefit from her service do not know it is available.

She said: “A lot of men find it difficult to admit they have a problem. But if it’s generally known that it’s something that happens to many people and there is something they can do about it, then we hope they will be more likely to come forward.

“A lot of people tend to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs rather than talking about what they are feeling.

“We want the relatives and friends of military personnel to be able to recognise the symptoms as well so they can encourage them to come to see me.”

She added: “They can come to me in confidence and they don’t have to go through their GP. The treatment is free of charge.”

Ms Darling said the charity has an 83 per cent success rate in resolving military trauma and there are no waiting lists.

She said: “Symptoms of post traumatic stress include flashbacks, nightmares, anger outbursts, alcoholism and depression.

“Without appropriate help the result can be family breakdown, homelessness, criminality - and even suicide.”

Ms Darling is running a stall on Saturday at the Old Leamingtonians’ annual Rugby For Heroes festival, which takes place at the club’s ground in Bericote Road, Blackdown, from Friday until Sunday.

Profits from the weekend, which includes a real ale festival, live music, rugby tournaments, historic military vehicle and motorcycle displays and a range of charity and rugby apparel stalls, will be donated to Help for Heroes, the Royal British Legion and the Afghanistan Trust.

A contribution will also be made to 353, a ‘not for profit’ cause set up by the family of Private Conrad Lewis of Claverdon, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in February 2011.

Spectators will be able to see former Royal Marine officer and television presenter Monty Hall playing rugby, while tomorrow, there will also be an evening jump by the Parachute Regiment Red Devils’ parachute display team.

Weekend tickets cost £10 (free for under 18s). To find out more, visit www.rubgyforheroes.org

For further details on PSTD Resolutions, visit www.ptsdgive.co.uk