Psychotherapy for veterans navigating the military‐to‐civilian transition: A case study

Abstract

Veterans face a range of challenges as they transition out of the military and into civilian life. For some, this period of transition is characterized by loss of identity, loss of daily structure, loss of community, and confusion about where they fit within society. If not attended to, problems associated with the military‐to‐civilian transition can lead to significant functional impairment. Yet, little is known about how psychotherapy can support this period of adjustment that every veteran will face. This article presents a case study of a veteran struggling to adjust to the civilian world following his service in the military. Critical areas of assessment, conceptualization, and intervention are explicated to help inform best practices for mental health providers working with veterans.

An interpretative phenomenological analysis exploring the transition from army to civilian life.

“…As was experienced by Bravo, the struggle to find a new path in life was also characterised by feelings of being misunderstood and as if the service leaver does not fit into civilian life as a result of the differences between the two cultures that the service leader is experiencing (Ahern, Worthen, Masters, Lippman, Ozer & Moos, 2015). The civilian culture and military culture differ hugely, with the military culture being highly structured and hierarchical in nature and being fierce in the way in which it imposes its values and expectations upon recruits (Stevenson, 2020). Mike highlights the intensity of the training involved in the military and the fact that the army imposes its values and behaviours onto new recruits.…”

“…He saw it as an opportunity to take part in activities that he would not have been able to take part in otherwise. From the beginning of their career, service personnel are expected to adapt to a new organised culture, characterised by intense combat training within a masculinised environment (Stevenson, 2020). Similarly, running through the core of the military is a strict hierarchical structure where the army's values are enforced upon service personnel, and they are expected to conform to military norms (Atuel & Castro, 2018), which Victor reflects above.…”