Blog posts with the tag "Clinical Skills"

Staff Perspective: Telling About the Trauma

Dr. Deb Nofziger

Previously, I wrote about why combat veterans hesitate to share details about their combat experiences. These insights could be adjusted to anyone who has experienced trauma. I’ve repeatedly had veterans, providers, and family members tell me this makes sense to them. However, understanding a hesitancy to share does not mean it is okay to tell loved ones absolutely nothing about what happened if someone is struggling with the aftermath of trauma. 

Practically Speaking: Behind the Episode: “WETting” Our Toes in Trauma Treatment Options”

Dr. Kevin Holloway

One of the issues that all providers are faced with in their clinical practice is deciding what treatment options might fit best with a client who has PTSD. While our brains often go to the first line treatments like PE, CPT and EMDR, sometimes a 10 - 12 session protocol isn't the best fit for the client in front of us who can’t commit to that treatment length or has other reasons that drive a different approach. To truly provide patient-driven care, we, as clinicians, need to have other EBP options at-the-ready to meet our clients where they are. In this episode of Practical for your Practice, CDP’s own Dr. Paula Domenici joins us to talk about her experience with using Written Exposure Therapy (WET) and how it has enhanced her clinical practice.

Practically Speaking: Behind the Episode “The NEW VA/DoD CPG for PTSD: Giving Providers a Fighting Chance”

Dr. Kevin Holloway

As many of our listeners know, the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense (VA/DoD) Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute stress disorder (ASD) was released in June of 2023. The CPG, designed to assist clinical decision making, provides recommendations that, in essence, give a clinician a fighting chance of identifying treatments that the research suggests should help their clients. But for many busy providers, it is a lot to unpack and digest! 

Practically Speaking: Behind the Episode - EBP Confessionals: We Messed Up and We Recovered From It

“What if….?” questions come up frequently as we instruct or consult on evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs). You probably recall imagining all of the worst-case scenarios when you were first learning a new treatment. Even seasoned clinicians still find themselves asking “what if…?” questions while delivering treatment. And more than once I’ve found myself faced with that scenario that I’ve been dreading for years and suddenly have to figure out “What do I do now?”

Staff Perspective: Connecting Clinically - The “Suck It Up and Drive On” Mentality

When you consider the cultural context of the military as being group-based, it is not unusual for clients to downplay their own pain and symptoms because someone else is "worse" than they are. This can lead to problems with them fully engaging in treatment. Providers must somehow address this without being dismissive of the cultural value behind it.

Pages