The veteran mental health crisis is real, with suicide rates officially at 22 per day, though underreported. The Veterans Administration is overwhelmed, especially in rural areas, and the new “Veteran’s Community Care Program” aims to ease access to civilian providers. However, civilian providers often struggle to establish rapport with military veterans. In this workshop, psychologists, licensed mental health professionals, medical personnel, ministry leaders, and coaches will examine the unique challenges combat veterans face when reintegrating into family dynamics and communities after service, which often inhibits their desire to seek mental and medical care. Participants will recognize the specific disruptions combat veterans experience, such as lack of understanding for the military culture and experience, that create barriers to engaging in treatment. Additionally, participants will identify practical techniques for building rapport with veterans and fostering a productive therapeutic relationship. Participants will gain insights and tools they can immediately apply in their practice.
711 | Why Combat Veterans Don’t Talk To You… And How You Can Change That
PRESENTERS
Joe Decree, M.A., Jeanette Houghtelling, DNP
CE CREDITS
1.25
Approved For CE
ASWB, NBCC, IBCC, Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, AMA PRA Category 1 Credits, AOA Category 2A Credits, Georgia Nurses Association, AAFP
Approved For CME/CEU
LEVEL
Intermediate
Summary
Learning Objectives
1 Identify the unique challenges combat veterans face when reintegrating into family dynamics and communities after service, and understand the impact of these challenges on their mental health and willingness to seek care.
2 Recognize the specific disruptions combat veterans experience that create barriers to engaging in treatment, including the cultural differences between military and civilian environments, and how these affect therapeutic rapport.
3 Apply practical techniques to build rapport and foster a productive therapeutic relationship with combat veterans, equipping participants with tools they can use immediately in their practice to engage and support veterans effectively.