Blog posts with the tag "Clinical Skills"

Staff Perspective: The Healthcare of Transgender Service Members - A Discussion on Recent Policy Developments

Laura Cho-Stutler, Psy.D.

With the 2011 repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and Don’t Pursue policy, which later became known as Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT), the transgender military population was left unprotected with an increased uncertainty about their status in the US military.  They were unable to join the military and if already serving, being identified as a transgender individual could be grounds for involuntary separation or denial of reenlistment (Goldbach & Castron, 2016; Kerrigan, 2012).

Staff Perspective: The Treatment Rationale - Blueprints of Psychotherapy

Jenna Ermold, Ph.D.

Imagine that you want to build a house -- or better yet, that you NEED to build a house to get respite from the elements and to feel safe and comfortable. Unsure where to begin, you seek out a builder to help guide you in this process. You might feel a sense of trepidation. What if this builder doesn’t understand your needs or the kind of house you’re hoping for? Worse yet, what if the houses they build aren’t solid, long-lasting, and sound? Now imagine meeting with that builder and getting vague and confusing details about the building plan with no glimpse of a blueprint, but having to consent to the project. Oh... and you also are required to put down a significant deposit.

Staff Perspective: A Brief History of LGB Individuals and the Military (Part 2)

Sharon Birman, Psy.D.

LGB Service members have faced workplace stigma, institutional heterosexism, and discrimination for decades.  In spite of exclusionary policies, LGB persons have long served in the U.S. military. Same-sex behaviors have been prohibited in the military setting as far back as the Revolutionary War. In 1942, the first policies explicitly prohibiting gay and lesbian individuals from joining the military were enacted. While in WWI sodomy laws were the basis for exclusion, WWII focused on exclusion on the basis of “sexual proclivities”. In 1953, President Eisenhower issued executive order 10450 prohibiting federal personnel from participating in “subversive” groups, maintaining that “sexual perversion” presents a security risk.

Staff Perspective: LGB History in Psychology and the Military (Part 1)​

Staff Perspective: Behavioral Activation - There’s an App for That!

Marjorie Weinstock, Ph.D.

I recently learned about the Mood Coach app from a participant at one of my recent trainings on CBT for Depression (CBT-D).  We’ve tried to include information about pertinent apps in our workshops, as we know that many of the Service members we treat find this type of technology appealing (oftentimes more so than using traditional pencil-and-paper worksheets).

Staff Perspective: LGB History in Psychology and the Military (Part 1)

Sharon Birman, Psy.D.

Hi! I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself.  My name is Sharon Ela Hana Birman; not many people know I have two middle names.  I am middle child with one older brother and one younger brother.  I am an aunt to a beautiful little girl named Abigail.  I own a little white dog – he weighs 3 lbs, but makes up for his small size with his big personality.  I work as a Clinical Psychologist and love my job.  Oh yeah…. And I am straight. 

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