Research Ptsd And Employment

[Richie]

conversely, i do know someone who does hide it from his employers and co-workers. he is still serving in the Army and he only opened up to me because i am ex Army. its a trust that i think will be crucial as a counsellor although after spending some time here on this forum, i am more open to the idea of treating anyone with PTSD rather than limiting myself to military only

 

[Neverthesame]

i am more open to the idea of treating anyone with PTSD rather than limiting myself to military only

You'll certainly have a larger client pool. ;)
(Just a jab in jest)

because i am ex Army. its a trust that i think will be crucial as a counsellor

I would be curious to know if the skills learnt from your military experience, as well as the personell you will be treating some day. Might prove useful for non-military clients as well. And vice versa.

I'm not military myself, not even an Army brat. But I know enough to know, I don't know nothing about army life.
Though I would bet my last heypenny, that there are some fundamental principles of structure and self dicipline learned from the service, that would be helpful to a civilian, learning to cope with ptsd.

If I remember correctly. Setting a routine and regimen of practice using grounding tools. Is a good start for anyone with PTSD to begin stabilising themselves. (If I'm wrong about this, please correct me, anyone.)

Personally. The expression "Improvise, adapt, overcome. Is one I have turned into a mantra for myself. Whether or not I understand it in the same way as a member of the armed services? No idea. But it works for me.

What are your thoughts on this @Richie ?(or anyone else?)

 

[Richie]

not everything about the Army would work with PTSD. For example, I have read that it takes 14 years to ask for help because of the 'grin and bear it' tradition and supposedly that just does not help.
the guy who I know is currently serving told me that he wants someone who he can talk to without being constantly questioned about military language. This is his biggest frustration at the moment because he is constantly interrupted by civilian therapists. I wont have that problem because I obviously speak fluent military. My concern was that I have been in combat but he says that doesn't matter because he can still talk to me.
at the moment I cant begin to try and treat anyone because I am very early in my journey to treating PTSD but I am very keen to learn about it so when the time comes I will get it right. The last thing I want to do is make things worse for any sufferer. From what I have learned so far, it is never the sufferers fault!

 

[Friday]

someone who he can talk to without being constantly questioned about military language.

Yep. That's in my top 3 biggest problem with civilians. Right along with being looked at like a comic book character (for seriously boring / normal shit), and completely missing the point (not groking culture).

Not understanding what you're saying, why you're saying it, or how it affects you? Makes for super good times.

 

[Ronin]

I don't disclose.

Unless it's requested, & even then I triple think how much to disclose, and cross check it with people if possible as to if it's wise at all.

 

[Gadgie]

he only opened up to me because i am ex Army.

Aye! that's true, it's easier to open up and confide in someone who has been there, that it is to share your feelings with a stranger.

There is something between ex service people that seems to bind them together, it's something that a civilian doesn't understand or has?

It's the way they carry themselves, their manor, their whole attitude, I think it's the discipline side of being in the forces, they even have their own language, and share the same black humour, like taking the piss out of someone is allowed, it's only natural, it goes with the job.

So you can see why it's easier to talk to one of them, compared to anyone else, well that's my thoughts on it.

 

[Richie]

he only opened up to me because i am ex Army.

Aye! that's true, it's easier to ope...

this is what got me started on this path. The branch of service doesn't matter because we have all served and earned the right to rip the piss out of each other in good humour. Even at my interview for college proved my point on this matter. My course tutor did the interview and her smoking buddy spotted the Army logo on my chest (I flaunt my service openly) and immediately asked me if I joined the Army because I wasn't intelligent enough for the Navy or RAF. I laughed and he shook my hand. It turns out that he is an ex-submariner! My biggest selling point was that bond between military personnel and this random event proved my point beautifully.
unfortunately I have since learned that my current college does not help me get into counselling. COSCA (the governing body in Scotland) have now steered me in the right direction and are interested in how I get on because they have never come across anyone doing what I am doing ie ex mil training to be a counsellor to go back to the military community. I am continuing with my current course because I believe psychology will compliment the counselling course that I have to begin next year even though it is not essential in Scotland. In theory, the more tools I have, the better equipped I am to do the job.

 

[Gadgie]

Sounds like a good course to take, I wish you all the best for it, and hope you can help a lot of ex service folk.

 

[Friday]

You'll certainly have a larger client pool. ;)(Just a jab in jest)

Heeeeeeey! We need therapists, too! :P Over 200 private trauma therapists in my city and not one has a military background.

Actually, in order to find anyone with a military background, or who specializes in vets? Have to take a train 5 hours south and cross state lines.

<chuckling> There's a joke in there somewhere about smuggling dangerous materials across state lines.

 

[Richie]

we have only 5 in Scotland who deal with forces/ex forces and they are not all veterans. I dont know if any of them are. It seems to be a very unusual career choice for veterans. So much so that they governing body in Scotland have asked me to report back to them because they have never seen anyone leave the military and go into therapy work

 

[Cannottakethis]

Would never disclose prior or after hire. Nobody's business unless it affects my job in some way. Thank god im on disability and don't have to deal with that stuff!

 

[Suzetig]

While COSCA are the registering body in Scotland most counsellors and therapists in Scotland tend to go with the BACP - they have generally better recognition even in Scotland and clearer training and registration requirements. It might be worth having a look at their website.

Most people will do a COSCA approved certificate in counselling followed by a BACP accredited diploma, with the diploma being the minimum qualification you need to be considered professionally qualified to practice. If you hope to gain employment you'll generally need BACP accreditation so it's worth picking the right course and level of study.

It's not illegal to set up as a counsellor without the diploma level qualification but I'd question someone's ethics if they did. And you're absolutely right, working with any kind of trauma, the more training you have the better and safer your practice will be. Good luck.

I meant to add, no I haven't and wouldn't disclose PTSD, I do tell my employers I have an anxiety disorder so they know to look out for me and understand that I may need support from time to time, but don't want to discuss trauma with them.