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Military Psychologist
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have emotionally impacted many returning veterans and their families. As a result, military psychologists have been in demand to assist veterans and their families cope with the emotional scars created by war. Following successful counseling and group therapy, it is possible for veterans to handle emotional stress and adjust to life at home.
Research has shown that a large percentage of military personnel returning home from warzones who have been involved with combat struggle with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The percentage is a little under 50 percent for soldiers who have served multiple deployments.
Veterans struggling with PTSD can meet with psychologists on base, but most military psychologists have offices in military and veterans hospitals. During the first couple of sessions, military psychologists attempt to diagnosis veterans if they are demonstrating symptoms of PTSD.
If it is necessary, military psychologists can recommend exposure or cognitive-behavioral therapy to treat veterans struggling with PTSD. However, the emotional problems resulting from war for many soldiers is often compounded by previous mental health problems. If this is the case, military psychologists frequently recommend psychotherapy.
Family members of soldiers are also emotionally affected by their family members’ long deployments and traumatic injuries. If they are struggling, family members of service members can seek treatment from psychologists at military hospitals. Because of the ongoing conflicts, other treatment programs and options are available for struggling family members. Family members not living on base or unable to access a hospital can meet with civilian psychologists hired by the military.
After evaluations, military psychologists recommend treatment solutions or refer family members of soldiers struggling with emotional problems to other professionals. Often, all family members need is the support of others, so psychologists frequently organize support groups. This is a frequent treatment option for family members of National Guard service members since they usually reside in communities with other families in similar situations.
When troops are deployed in warzones, military psychologists accompany them in what is known as combat stress detachments. If soldiers are struggling emotionally while in a combat zone, they can meet with a psychologist to receive assistance.
In larger theaters of operations, such as Iraq, military psychologists collaborate with military commanders to identify soldiers who may be in need of psychological treatment. Soldiers complaining about homesickness or sleeping disorders to their superiors can be referred to a psychologist.
Since troops are still being deployed overseas and de-escalation does not appear imminent, the United States Military has taken steps to accommodate the mental health needs of soldiers. In fact, the military is now focusing on prevention since PTSD rates can be very high for soldiers who have been deployed multiple times.
As a result, the military is in need of qualified psychologists to meet the needs of soldiers overseas and returning home from combat.
Those interested in working with the military as a psychologist can receive tuition assistance to complete college. After earning a degree, it will not be difficult to find a good paying job with excellent benefits.
Opportunities also exist for civilian psychologists who want to work with members of the military, their families, and veterans. Numerous nonprofit groups are providing services for service members and their families.
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