Title:
Using Narrative Therapy, Spirituality, and Peer Approaches in Treating Veteran SUD Webinar
Presenter:
Heather Robertson, LMHC, LPC, CRC
Description:
Today’s veterans may face a variety of struggles when they leave the military. Some veterans struggle with economic issues such as unemployment or homelessness, while others experience mental illnesses such as trauma or substance abuse (Bray& Hourani, 2007; Federman, Bray, & Kroutil, 2000). While substance abuse impacts all cultures, races and creeds equally, the military culture provides a unique culture in which additional barriers to help-seeking behavior may exist for service members struggling with addiction (Clinton-Sherrod, Barrick, & Gibbs, 2011; McFarling, D'Angelo, Drain, Gibbs, & Olmsted, 2011).
An overview of narrative therapy will be provided, beginning with a brief history of its founding by Michael White & David Epston, and concluding with practicing a few narrative techniques developed by Pamelia Brott, and adapted to SUD treatment. Narrative approaches will be examined from the framework of story and a constructivist lens that includes the military culture and experiences as a component of the narrative. Focus will be given to peer-to-peer approaches, including national programs, such as the VA’s Peer Specialist programs, and local programs, such as the Suffolk County United Veterans Peer-to-Peer Support Group.
The value of spirituality has been well-documented in substance abuse treatment interventions (Burris, Sauer, & Carlson, 2011; Diaz, Horton, Green, McIlveen, Weiner, & Mullaney, 2011; Juhnke, Watts, Guerra, & Hsieh, 2009). Spirituality is often considered a cornerstone of substance abuse support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. In addition, research has identified spirituality as a resiliency factor for soldiers during combat (Pargament & Sweeny, 2011), as well as for military families. However, the value of spirituality for veterans in substance abuse treatment has received little attention.
This presentation addresses the concept of using narrative therapy, spirituality, and peer-to-peer with military members in substance abuse treatment, by examining literature and individual case studies of veterans in treatment. The primary audience is mental health and addictions counselors treating veterans with SUD, those who wish to work with this population and students.