ABSTRACT

With the United States’ involvement in numerous combat operations overseas, the need for civilian social workers with the clinical skills necessary to work with members of the military returning from combat, as well as their families, has never been more critical. In this practical and important book, each chapter is written by specialists in a particular area devoted to the care of service members and includes case material to demonstrate assessment and intervention approaches. The reader is introduced to the world of the military and the subsequent development of mental health services for returning men and women. Chapters look at special populations of service members with specific needs based directly on their experience in the military, discussing post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, sexual harassment and assault during their service, and the physiology of the war zone experience. The challenges faced by reintegrating service men and women are explored in detail and include family issues, suicide, and substance use disorders. A section on services available to returning service members looks at those offered by the Veterans Administration and at the use of animal-assisted interventions. The book concludes with a section devoted to unique concerns for the practitioner and explores ethical concerns they may face and their own needs as clinicians working with this population.

part |33 pages

The World of the Military

chapter |16 pages

No One Leaves Unchanged—Insights for Civilian Mental Health Care

Professionals into the Military Experience and Culture

part |100 pages

Special Populations

chapter |14 pages

When They Return From Iraq/Afghanistan

The Needs of the Wounded

chapter |13 pages

Helping the Combat Medic and Corpsman

Adapting to Both Primary and Secondary Traumatic Stress Down Range and Beyond

chapter |16 pages

The Battle Within

Understanding the Physiology of Warzone Exposure

part |101 pages

Clinical Challenges

chapter |11 pages

Those Who Have Served in Afghanistan/Iraq

Coming Home

chapter |19 pages

Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom

Exploring Wartime Death and Bereavement

chapter |16 pages

Spouses and Their Families in the Modern Military System

Problems, Assessment, and Interventions

chapter |21 pages

Substance use Disorders in Veterans

A Clinical Overview of Assessment and Treatment of Substance use Disorders in Veterans and Service Members

part |22 pages

Unique Concerns for Practitioners