Moral injury is a cluster of symptoms that is linked to but separate from PTSD. There is an emerging effort to distinguish between the two and recognize moral injury as a common and distinct syndrome that requires targeted treatment.
Tag: From Combat to Counseling
Like many other underserved populations, it is necessary to understand the unique culture of the military and how it impacts our clients. Through diligence in our preparation, we can make sure to provide the best care possible for those who sacrificed much on our behalf.
Treating the emotional and behavioral problems that lead to criminal behavior is one of the keys to helping veterans get—and stay—out of the criminal justice system.
It is important to understand what we are talking about when we discuss mental health in the military-affiliated population. As mental health professionals, it is equally important to understand the potential psychological impacts that our clients have experienced.
Although many counselors recognize the unique nature of military service, it’s also essential that they understand how important that culture is to a member’s self-image.
It’s true that there are many common factors among those who serve in or are affiliated with the military, but there are a large number of differences too. Age, ethnicity, gender, period of service, full time or part time, combat or not — all of these factors have their own impact on the experiences of military-affiliated clients.
There are not enough veterans in the counseling career field serving others in the military population. At the same time, that truth does not minimize the need for mental health counseling for the military population.