Military Therapists Under Strain
The tragedy at Fort Hood has put more public attention on the emotional strain military therapists are experiencing, according to an Associated Press story. With the United States fighting two wars, there is a shortage of therapists and some therapists are finding they need counseling as well, the story said.
You may also want to read this related story, “For psychiatrists, wartime is a pressure cooker,” from the Star-Ledger in New Jersey. That story cites a study on the social workers who treat trauma victims.
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From NASW Facebook Page:
Ernest W.: There is no doubt that there is some validity to this. As a military therapist who has worked with Service Members post combat deployment, the potenial for secondary or vicarious traumatization does exist. This is especially true when the work setting does not provide or allow for informal and formal mechanisms of emotional support, ventilation … Read Moreand consultation for providers. In my experience there hasn’t really been so much of a shortage of therapists, but rather a high rate of turnover. When those managing military mental health providers don’t have a good idea of the intensity of the therapist/patient relationship for those suffering from PTSD and/or TBI, they are not in a position to create a work environment that faciliates meaningful clinical work and appropriate self care of providers. Management personnel must themselves have considerable clinical experience with this population in order to effectively minimize the emotional stresses and strains that these providers endure.