Seeing the Military through

Our Multicultural

LensLorell Gordon, M.Ed., Ed. S. , CACII, LPC/S, LMFT-IUniversity of South Carolina, Ph. D. CandidateACES Conference October 2016, Philadelphia, PA

OBJECTIVES

Gain an understanding of the military structure and culture.

Recognize how family members are impacted by the military culture in different ways.

Gain an understanding of theoretical approaches and interventions that research has shown to be effective in working within the military culture.

My family and I just PCS’d here last year after a "180". My wife and the kids did a DITY move and came here to get the kids settled while I attended NCOA. Then, just 90 days after my DAS, I was sent TDY again in support of OEF. Now, I’m finally home again, having just returned from my TDY at 1800 last night. My first stop is at the A&FRC for my reintegration. Since getting home, I've noticed it is hard fitting in with my family. We aren't connecting so well. Thankfully, my 1st Sgt is pretty squared away and we talked the other day, he suggested I talk to an MFLC....or the HC. I am excited though, my son turned 10, so it's time to stop by the MPF for his first ID card.

SCENARIO

http://free.wallpaperbackgrounds.com/military/helicopter/black-hawk-military-33933.jpg

Military Service Member

• authoritarian structure• isolation and

alienation• class system• absent parent• importance of the

mission• preparation for

disaster

Hall, 2008

http://free.wallpaperbackgrounds.com/military/helicopter/black-hawk-military-33933.jpg

Military Service Member

• the fortress (Wertsch, 1991)

(secrecy, stoicism, denial)• relocations• separation from

family• risk of injury or

deathHall, 2008; Blaissure et al., 2013

Military Spouse

• relocations• barriers to post-secondary

education• barriers to employment and career• separation from spouse• separation from hometown and

family• risk of injury or death(spouse)

Hall, 2008; Burrell, 2006

Children of the Military•Relocation•Deployment

(Davis et al., 2012)

~Almost 2 million children in the US have at least one parent in the active or reserve military (Office of the Secretary Under Defense, 2011).

Emotional Cycle of DeploymentStages

1.Anticipation of Loss2.Emotional Withdrawal3.Emotional

Confusion/Disorganization4.Adjustment/Recovery5.Expectation of Reunion6.Honeymoon7.Readjustment

Kathleen Logan, 1985

Theoretical Approaches and Interventions

Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (Hall, 2008)CBT approaches (Dass-Brailsford, 2007)(exposure therapy, systematic desensitization, relaxation techniques, anxiety management, stress inoculation)Acceptance and Commitment Theory (Carrola & Corbin-Burdick, 2015)Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (Fennell & Fennell, 2003)Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (Sklare, 2005)Motivational Interviewing (Seal et al., 2012)

QUICK TIPSKnow the branch of the member.Refrain from writing during the

session.Be familiar with the resources.Have some familiarity with the

culture and a willingness to increase your knowledge.

Assessment Emphasis: (The Vet Center, McCann, 2015)

• for war zone involvement• for sexual trauma or harassment• for bereavement issues• for PTSD

Are Your Boots on

the Ground?

ReferencesAhmed, S., Wilson, K. B., Henriksen, R. C. & Jones, J. W. (2011). What does it mean

to be a culturally-competent counselor? Journal for Social Action in Counseling

and Psychology, 3(1), 17-12.

Blasisure, K.R., Saathoff-Wells, T., Pereira. A., Wadsworth, S. M. & Dombro, A. L.

(2012). Serving military families in the 21st century. New York, New York:

Routledge.

Burrell, L.M., Adams, G.A., Durand, D.B. & Castro, C. A. (2006). The impact of

military lifestyle demands on well-being, Army and family outcomes. Armed

Forces & Society, 33, 43-58.

Carrola, P., & Corbin-Burdick, M. F. (2105). Counseling military veterans: Advocating

for culturally competent and holistic interventions. Journal of Mental Health

Counseling, 37, 1-14.

Chandra, A., Lara-Cinisomo, S., Jaycox, L. H., Tanielian, T., Burns, R. M. Ruder, T.

and Han, B. (2010). Children on the homefront: The experience of children from

military families. Pediatrics, 125, 16-25.

Dass-Brailsford, P. (2007). A practical approach to trauma: Enpowering interventions. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Davis, B. E., Blaschke, G. S. and Stafford, E. M. (2012). Military children, families, and communities: Supporting those who serve. Pediatrics, 129, S3-S10.Fennell, D. L., & Fennell, R. A. (2003) Counseling services for military personnel and their families. Counseling and Human Development, 35, 1-20Hall, L. K. (2008). Counseling military families. New York, New York: Routledge. Holcomb-McCoy, C. E. & Myers, J. E. (1999). Multicultural competence and counselor training: A national survey. Journal of Counseling and Development, 77, 294-302.Logan, K. V., (1987). The emotional cycle of deployment. Proceedings Magazine, 113. Retrieved from. Retrieved from http://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1987-02/emotional-cycle- deploymentOffice of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Military Community and Family Policy) . 2011 demographics: Profile of the military community. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved fromSue, D. W., Arredondo, P. and McDavis, R. J. (1992). Multicultural counseling competencies and standards: A call to the profession. Journal of Counseling and Development 70, 477-486.Sue, D. W. & Sue, D. (2012). Counseling the culturally diverse: theory and practice. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Wertsch, M. E. (1991). Military brats. Legacies of childhood inside the fortress. St. Louis, MO: Brightwell.

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