Barriers to mental health counseling among military personnel

Mental Health Treatment Barriers in Military Counseling

Dao, J. And Frosch, D. "Military Rules Said to Hinder Therapy."

The New York Times. (December 7, 2009).

Summary of Major Findings:

The concept of counselor-patient confidentiality is very different in military counseling settings than it is in ordinary (i.e. civilian) counseling environments. Generally, professional ethics pertaining to the counselor-patient relationship preclude disclosure of information without the consent of the patient. There are exceptions under federal and state law that allow such disclosure where the information relates to certain types of violations of law and to credible threats or malicious intentions on the part of patients toward third parties. In the military counseling setting, the rules of non-disclosure are much less protective of the patient, typically allowing or requiring disclosure in connection with any violation of military law in addition to violations of civilian federal and state law.

Conceptual Relevance to Mental Health Counseling and Professional Practice:

As a result of this reduced right of confidentiality, soldiers in dire need of psychological counseling must often limit their disclosure of information to their counselors even where doing so greatly reduces the effectiveness of their treatment. This issue is tremendously important to mental health counseling because any limitation on the ability of patients to be honest with their counselors is a serious treatment barrier. As a professional counselor, it is important to advocate against administrative rules that pose barriers to optimal treatment. As a professional counselor, it is important to protect the confidentiality of patients to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Frain, M.P., Bishop, M., and Bethel, M. "A Roadmap for Rehabilitation

Counseling to Serve Military Veterans with Disabilities." Journal of Rehabilitation, Volume 76, No. 1; (2010): 13-21.

Summary of Major Findings:

The history of rehabilitation counseling services in the U.S. Military has always been shaped by the specific nature of the experiences of servicemen in their theater of combat action. The current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have generated a greatly increased need for services capable of assisting injured soldiers return to productive civilian life. Ironically, the increase in survivability attributable to better protection of the head and vital organs and of combat medical trauma response that have reduced combat casualties have dramatically increased the numbers of soldiers returning home with life-changing injuries and disabilities such as loss of limbs. The outcome of post-combat rehabilitation counseling is directly dependent on the development of specific techniques and approaches conducive to their needs.

Conceptual Relevance to Mental Health Counseling and Professional Practice:

Antiquated or outdated conceptual approaches to rehabilitation counseling are less effective than those that correspond more closely to the actual needs of patients. As a professional counselor, it is important to understand the specific needs of patients to best assist them achieve the maximum possible reintegration into a fulfilling and productive life after their return from combat with serious injures or long-term disabilities.

Stone, F.P. (1998). Attitudinal and Perceptual Barriers to Accessing Mental

Health Services among Members of the U.S. Air Force. University of Utah.

Summary of Major Findings: