DCES 893 - Veterans & Military Family Counseling

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The course provides an overview of the psychological and relational issues confronted by active military personnel and veterans as well as by their immediate and extended families and loved ones. Students will develop skills and familiarity with the assessment and formulation of specific intervention strategies to counsel and embrace the functioning of active military personnel, veterans, and their families with reference to empirically supported intervention models and practice. Emphasis will be on the students’ development of strategies in establishing therapeutic alliances with military or veteran families of diverse or minority cultural backgrounds and those who have dealt with loss and/or injury upon the return of both emotionally and physically damaged military members. Both assessment of risk and protective factors, and responding and coping strategies, for active service persons, their families, and communities will be discussed. Students will also study pertinent clinical issues and treatment strategies including combat-induced stress reaction and post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance abuse issues. Career and post-military life planning issues will also be a focus of the class. In-depth discussions on legal restrictions, military guidelines and regulations, and professional and ethical considerations will be included.