Cory Sowards is a United States Marine Corps Combat Veteran who served two combat tours in Iraq and has since dedicated his life to helping others heal, grow, and reclaim their sense of purpose. Originally from Apple Valley, California, Cory graduated from Apple Valley High School in 1998. He earned his Bachelor of Social Work from George Fox University in 2021 and completed his Master of Social Work at Campbellsville University in 2025.
Cory began his journey with River of Hope Behavioral Health in January 2025 and now serves as a full-time Mental Health Therapist and Clinical Associate. He provides trauma-informed therapy at both the Jerome and Bellevue locations, specializing in grief, trauma, and addiction recovery. Drawing from his own lived experience with PTSD and extensive professional background, Cory offers a compassionate, strengths-based, and client-centered approach to therapy.
Inspired by his personal healing journey and professional training, Cory developed an innovative enhancement of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) that integrates elements of Narrative Therapy and Music Therapy. This emerging model—Narrative Music Desensitization Therapy (NMDT)—invites clients to co-create trauma desensitization songs as a way of reclaiming their voice, processing complex emotions, and finding empowerment through storytelling. This modality has shown tremendous promise with clients working through trauma, grief, and substance use, and is rapidly becoming a hallmark of therapeutic practice at River of Hope.
Cory also serves as a Clinical Associate for River of Hope’s partnership with the Bellevue Problem-Solving DUI Court, where he supports justice-involved individuals through ethical, trauma-responsive, and collaborative care. He works closely with court teams, case managers, and interdisciplinary professionals to ensure every client receives individualized, evidence-based support designed to promote sustainable recovery and transformation.
Since 2017, Cory has worked in the helping professions, serving as a Peer Support Specialist (PSS), Behavioral Health Technician (BHT), and Veteran Case Manager in communities across Phoenix, Arizona, and Salem, Oregon. His dedication to trauma recovery, veteran advocacy, and community wellness is rooted in both his lived experience and academic preparation.
In May 2024, Cory relocated to Jerome, Idaho to continue his mission of rural behavioral health service. He is a proud father of two college-aged sons, Carson and Deegan, and in his personal time enjoys riding his Harley, cheering on his favorite teams—the California Angels and the San Francisco 49ers—and spending time with his longtime friend and coworker Martin Thompson, also a veteran and fellow MSW student.
Cory’s clinical creativity is embodied in his music therapy motto, “WE DO RECOVER,” which also serves as the name of his independent label hosted on the SUNO app. Through this platform, Cory partners with clients to create and share powerful trauma recovery songs, turning pain into purpose and amplifying the strength found in lived experience. With client consent, these audio narratives will soon be featured on a dedicated River of Hope website page, offering the community a window into the healing, growth, and resilience fostered through the agency’s care.