DCoE Blog

• Clinician’s Corner: Tips to Stay Engaged in Therapy

  Posted by Christina Schendel, Ph.D., Deployment Health Clinical Center on May 29, 2015

  
  U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Luke Rollins

  Christina Schendel, is a licensed psychologist and is special assistant for strategy integration for the Deployment Health Clinical Center. This article is written for providers and references scientific language and research.

  As clinicians, we’ve all had patients who struggle to remain engaged in therapy, especially after a breakthrough, challenging session or even an alliance rupture. We know that almost half of patients leave psychotherapy too soon, which reduces the effectiveness of therapy. Taking a look at ourselves as therapists, and the therapeutic relationship, can help us find ways to stay engaged and keep patients as active participants in their therapy.

  Categories: PTSD, Substance Misuse Treatment, Treatment, Depression, Psychological Health   |   Comments (2)

• Grateful Nation Remembers Service Members, Veterans

  Posted by Capt. Richard F. Stoltz, DCoE director on May 25, 2015

  
  Roses and flags adorn headstones at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., for Memorial Day 2014. (Department of Defense photo by EJ Hersom)

  "Thank you."

  These words have a special meaning for us on Memorial Day when, as a country, we take the time to reflect, remember and honor those who have died during their service to our nation.

  Categories: Community Support, Psychological Health   |   Comments (0)

• 5 Special Ways to Honor Lost Loved Ones

  Posted by Nina Corin, DCoE Public Affairs on May 22, 2015

  
  U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leandra Stepp

  Before Memorial Day, there was Decoration Day, a day when families decorated the graves of service members lost in the Civil War. It was celebrated in May to ensure the availability of ample flowers to decorate graves.

  Today, 150 years after the end of the Civil War, we still lay wreaths to honor those who lost their lives while in service to our nation.

  Categories: Community Support, Families, Psychological Health   |   Comments (2)

• Take the First Steps to Get Help for Psychological Health Concerns

  Posted by Real Warriors on May 21, 2015

  
  U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jorge Saucedo

  Seeking help for psychological health concerns allows you to play an active role in your own well-being. Once you decide to seek care, you may not know what steps to take next. There are many options for care and it is important to make a plan that best fits your needs. Experts such as counselors, chaplains and health care providers in the Military Health System (MHS) are excellent resources to turn to for help.

   

  Step 1: Choose Your Goals

  Identify the areas of your life that your symptoms negatively impact. Think about how you would like to improve these areas.

  Determine your short-term and long-term goals.

  • An example of a short-term goal is to replace negative thoughts with positive thinking.
  • An example of a long-term goal is to reduce how often and how intensely you feel depressed or anxious.

  Categories: Real Warriors Campaign/Stigma, PTSD, Resources, Treatment, Depression, Psychological Health   |   Comments (2)

• Don’t Give Up on Mental Health Treatment

  Posted by Myron J. Goodman, DCoE Public Affairs on May 14, 2015

  
  Capt. Anthony A. Arita, Deployment Health Clinical Center director

  It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. If you’ve had a coach, personal trainer, inspirational teacher, or a really motivational friend, there is a good chance you heard them say something similar. Most likely, they said this to you because they wanted to encourage you to keep working toward your goal – whatever it was.

  A senior military leader, and psychologist, has a similar hope – he wants service members to stick with mental health treatment and give it a chance to work even if they don’t see immediate progress.

  According to Capt. Anthony A. Arita, Deployment Health Clinical Center director and experienced clinical neuropsychologist, people who give up on treatment too soon rob themselves of the benefits of care. Many forms of psychotherapy require 10 to 12 sessions to achieve noticeable symptom reduction. If medications are prescribed, it can take several weeks to find the right medications and therapeutic dosages.

  If it’s not working, talk to your provider

  If you don’t think your treatment is working, or if you are unclear about your treatment options, share your concerns with your provider. You should feel comfortable asking your provider to explain your diagnosis, and treatment plan, in a way you understand.

  Categories: DCoE Products, PTSD, Treatment, Depression, Psychological Health   |   Comments (0)

• Q&A: Legal Tips for Telehealth Mental Counseling [Part Two]

  Posted by Beth Schwinn, DCoE Public Affairs on May 12, 2015

  
  U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Rebekka Heite

  This is part two of a two-part series that summarizes tips offered during a recent webinar by Bryan T. Wheeler, deputy general counsel for the Defense Health Agency, on some of the legal and ethical issues involved in counseling service members online or via phone. Part one of the series covered general issues. This post addresses questions related specifically to the use of email and mobile apps.

  The rapid growth of websites, apps and other mobile technology to help mental health providers virtually communicate with patients presents new opportunities to reach service members and veterans. However, this tech-enabled practice, known as telemedicine or telehealth, raises some legal concerns for providers.

  Defense Health Agency Deputy General Counsel Bryan T. Wheeler addressed some of these concerns during a recent webinar.

  Categories: Technology, DCoE Products, Treatment, Psychological Health   |   Comments (0)