Objective: Because service professionals often lack cultural competence in working with veterans, veterans often perceive such professionals as "not understanding." The authors developed, evaluated, and implemented Veteran Cultural Competence Training (VCCT), combining educational and experiential components in an in-person training focused on building awareness, knowledge, and skills to better work with veterans.
Methods: Study 1 was a type 1 effectiveness-implementation hybrid trial examining VCCT effectiveness in a sample of social service professionals (N=41) compared with a matched comparison group (N=41) via the Multicultural Counseling Self-Efficacy Scale-Veteran Form (MCSE-V) instrument.
Psychol Serv
November 2023
Each year, approximately 200,000 service members transition out of military service and return to civilian life. For many, the stresses of this military-to-civilian transition are vast and include instabilities in mental health, relationships, employment, education, and housing. Given their unique training, mental health professionals often find themselves on the front lines of efforts to support this population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJustice-involved veterans are a high-risk, high-need subgroup serviced by behavioral health services within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) system. Justice-involved veterans often have complex mental health and substance use difficulties, a myriad of case management needs, and a range of criminogenic needs that are difficult to treat with traditional outpatient VHA services. The present study represents an initial evaluation of dialectical behavior therapy for justice-involved veterans (DBT-J), a novel psychotherapy program providing 16 weeks of skills-based group therapy and individualized case management services to veterans with current or recent involvement with the criminal justice system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSubstance use is a significant health crisis for the Veteran population. Prior research has thoroughly examined Veteran substance use within Veterans Health Administration (VHA) settings. However, such data tends to be outdated, and there is minimal research on substance use services delivered outside of VHA systems.
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