Can New Civilian Counselors Deal with Veteran PTSD

Can New Civilian Counselors Deal with Veteran PTSD Competantly? By Thomas Parker a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student

Veterans Are Unique • Military Veterans have a unique culture, and world view. • Their training changes their perception of those around them, as well as their communication style. • But the VA is in charge of their care, RIGHT? (D. Hester 2017)

So if not the VA, who? • Why not the VA? • Civilian Counselors! • Competent? Multicultural Training • Is Military Culture really that different from civilians? • (D, 2017) (Birdsall, 2010)

So what is the Culture? • Warrior Culture, but also duty, sacrifice, brotherhood. • Guided by a code, ethos, core values. • Enlisted vs. Officer • Alphabet soup • (Mark A. Reger, 2008)s

Are all Combat Vets Violent? • Not All Combat Vets suffering from PTSD are violent. • When is the best time for counselors to be able to help Vets? • (Gerlock, 2016)

PTSD, Vets, and Treatment • What does it take to treat a Veteran with PTSD successfully? • Why are they so loud and foul mouthed? • What skills should a counselor have? • Refreshers • (Leppma, 2016)

The Family and Treatment • Are School Counselors able to help students who have parents suffering from PTSD? • 2 Day Workshop • Military Specific • Helps Identify Culture gap as well as Military Normal • (Waliski, 2013)

Do Vets even want counseling? • Traditional vs. Non Traditional • Different Approach • More willing to do some things, but pushback on others. • Group vs. Single Counseling • (Robertson, 1992)

How to use the Culture? • • Warrior Culture Ethos Core Values Culture shift in the different branches. • (ERIC W. PRICE, 2015)

What works vs. doesn’t work • Know your client, each branch is unique, with further breakdowns in the branches depending on the job. • Be willing to adjust! • Learn new skills. • (ERIC W. PRICE, 2015), (Laska, 2013) (Shapiro, 2002)

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