Veteran Identity and Mental Health: Military Service and Trauma - Part 3
2 Hours | 2 CEs
This on-demand professional training program on Veteran Identity and Mental Health: Military Service and Trauma - Part 3 is presented by Kristen J. Vescers, PhD, MPH, MA.
“I didn’t serve. I can’t understand what my Veteran clients went through.” The Veteran Identity and Mental Heath training series follows a Veteran through three transition points.
The first two programs in this series cover Initiation into the Military and Military Service. While it is not a requirement, it is strongly recommended to take these programs in the series first.
This program discusses trauma experiences that are common amongst Service Members that may ultimately impact their identity as Veterans after service. Each transition point impacts the Veteran’s identity beyond their service. This includes expectations at each transitional stage of service that, if fulfilled or not, may impact one’s sense of self as a Veteran upon discharge.
Veteran culture is explored through the lens of the military experience and asks the learner to think about the Service Member through experiential exercises in order to get “comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Military-related trauma is discussed as we consider how combat and military sexual trauma affect the identities and mental health of service members. Transition challenges during service are explored through the context of development and identity formation. This unique learning experience allows learners to explore their attitudes and beliefs about the Veterans they work with.
This program is intended for professionals who work (or live) with Veterans at any stage of their career and can benefit from the unique perspectives available in this learning experience.
Program Outline
- Introduction
- Imaginal Exercise - lead the audience through a scenario of what it would be like to serve overseas
- Discuss transition challenges during service
- Discuss combat trauma and its implications and complexities (with video support)
- Discuss the unique nature of military sexual trauma and its complexities
Personal experience, case studies, research, and credible online resources are shared throughout the discussion
Intended Audience
This on-demand professional training program is intended for mental health and other allied professionals
Experience Level
This on-demand professional training program is appropriate for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level clinicians.
CE / CPD Credit
APA, ASWB, CPA, NBCC Click here for state and other regional board approvals.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this program you will be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of Veteran identity within the context of military culture
Describe awareness of the kinds of traumatic experiences that are unique to military service. This includes combat-related trauma and military sexual trauma
Describe insight into the unique nature of these traumas and how they uniquely impact and challenge the mental health of service members
Describe the various challenges associated with transitions that a Service Member may encounter throughout their military career.
Presented By
Kristen J. Vescera, PhD, MPH, MA
Dr. Kristen Vescera is a combat Veteran having served overseas in Afghanistan in 2012-2013. She spent ten years enlisted in the United States Army Reserve as a Psychological Operations Staff Sergeant and Instructor. She received her PhD in clinical psychology at Palo Alto University in 2021 where sh...
Curriculum
1. Program Introduction
2. Understanding Specialized Populations and Techniques in Correctional Mental Health
3. Combat Trauma
4. Addressing Military-Specific Challenges and Clinical Considerations
Develop a Specialty Area of Practice
Transforming mental health professionals into experts
Expert Instructors
Professional training developed and delivered by the field's leading experts
CE Credit
Earn CE credit for meaningful professional training that will elevate your practice
Convenience & Flexibility
Learn at your own pace, from wherever you might be!
CE Sponsorship Information
Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.