Blog posts with the tag "Service Members"

Staff Perspective: Evidence-Based Care: Why Are Providers So Resistant to Treatments We Don’t Know?

By Debra Nofziger  on 13.01.2016 10:52 am
Debra Nofziger, Psy.D.

While every provider may experience some initial discomfort with implementing an unfamiliar treatment, I am often surprised with how resistant many mental health providers are toward learning and implementing evidence-based treatments.  An article on this topic by Scott Lilienfeld and colleagues demonstrates this resistance, reasons for it, and potential ways to work through it.  I believe providers on all sides of this issue should read this article as a way to both consider another perspective and to clarify their own opinions.

Staff Perspective: My Therapist Has a Wet Nose – The State of Research on Animal-Assisted Therapy for Military Clients

By Carin Lefkowitz  on 30.09.2015 1:29 pm

If you’re reading this, you’re probably one of those tree-hugging vegans who wants to bring their dog to work every day.  Me too.  Full disclosure: I wrote this blog mostly so I could watch cat videos on company time.  But perhaps you have more noble aspirations, such as understanding the current state of research on animal-assisted therapy for military clients.  A quick Internet search suggests you’re not alone. 

Staff Perspective: A Dynamic Relationship Model for Couples Experiencing PTSD

By Debra Nofziger  on 11.03.2015 11:19 am

Working with Veterans with PTSD is an intense experience where all focus can be on helping alleviate the Veteran's symptoms.  What can sometimes get lost in this process is how the Veteran's family and relationships are surviving.  PTSD does not happen in a bubble and can have very harsh impacts on relationships.  These relationships will be changed even in the best case scenarios.  On the flip side, aspects of close relationships will impact how the Veteran's PTSD symptoms are experienced.  Following is a review of a recent research article which develops a multi-dimentional model of how relationship qualities can both be impacted by and affect the experience of PTSD.

Staff Perspective: Personality Disorders in the Military

By Holly O'Reilly  on 24.09.2014 11:17 am

 We have had a lot of questions about personality disorders since the new DSM-V was released earlier this year.  The personality disorders (PD) are still included in the revised DSM but are no longer listed on Axis II. I will briefly summarize the PD’s before briefly discussing PD’s in the military. When diagnosing personality disorders it is best to consider a long-term, stable pattern of behavior that meets multiple diagnostic criteria (often five or more). I encourage clinicians to obtain corroborating information from family and long-term friends if possible prior to diagnosis. Please note, that the purpose of this blog is not to diagnose friends, family and co-workers.

Staff Perspective: A Review of “Soul Repair: Recovering from Moral Injury after War”

By Diana Dolan  on 17.09.2014 12:30 pm

A colleague of mine recommended I read the book "Soul Repair: Recovering from Moral Injury after War" after a discussion on the topic of moral injury.  In this article, I review the book from my perspective as a clinician who has worked with service members who likely had moral injuries and as a former active duty Service member.

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