Clinician's Guide to Treating Stress After War: Education and Coping Interventions for Veterans

"Utilizing a nonpathologizing approach, this cognitive-behavioral program consists of psychoeducation, teaching stress management and exercises aimed at reconnecting the veteran to a social network. The problems of readjustment are explained in a way that is frank about the difficulty and optimistic that the difficulty can be managed." (PsycCRITIQUES, 5/20/09)

"The two books in the Stress After War series are companion manuals, the first designed as a reference guide for the clinician that is meant to be used in conjunction with the second, a workbook for the veteran. This pair of manuals can be thought of as resource guides to promote better mental health and adjustment postdeployment." (Journal of Psychiatric Practice, Vol 15, No. 4)

"This clinician guide and client workbook set is notable for its concreteness, clarity, practicality, and specificity. This manual is a valuable and eminently practical resource for providing a structured but flexible psycho-educational intervention for veterans of war." (Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, Winter 2009)

"Both books are intended to be used with one another and encourage an active relationship between clinician and veteran as treatment unfolds. Both books positively contribute to the burgeoning focus on treatment modalities for the country's wounded heroes. A particular strength is the inclusion of pre - and posttests that the authors recommend using before and after the administration of this intervention. Clinicians will find both books pragmatic and designed to flexibly allow them to use these in conjunction with their own preferred treatment modality." (Research on Social Work Practice, December 2008)

"A useful resource for clinicians in various settings working with returnees. Written in a user-friendly format, this guide addresses common stress-related symptoms and adjustment issues and focuses on developing resiliency and positive coping skills."
―Jennifer L. Broach, PhD, VA Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky

"An excellent resource for the clinician dealing with returning combat veterans. The most important issues are addressed and the hands-on guidance presented fits the needs of those who see this population."
―Jay Lebow, Clinical Professor of PsychologyThe Family Institute at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois

Clinician's Guide to Treating Stress After War: Education and Coping Interventions for Veterans outlines clear strategies that mental health professionals can use to help war returnees become better able to negotiate common problems that diminish the quality of their day-to-day life, such as sleep issues, irritability, and getting along with family, friends, and colleagues.

This powerful and practical resource helps mental health professionals promote better health and better outcomes in veterans using tools such as:

• Individualized self-assessments of symptoms and concerns

• Effective suggestions, tips, and questions to enable veterans to work at their own pace on their unique problems

• Proven techniques for stress management and guidance on developing coping skills

• Useful handouts, worksheets, and quizzes

Based upon empirically validated treatment methods and best practice guidelines for acute and traumatic stress, this clinician's manual and its accompanying workbook emphasize a wellness model. They were developed and refined through the authors' twenty years of combined clinical experience working with veterans.

Clinician's Guide to Treating Stress After War assists professionals to instill hope and enthusiasm in their clients, with the ultimate goal of increasing each individual's sense of control over his or her life.

"A useful resource for clinicians in various settings working with returnees. Written in a user-friendly format, this guide addresses common stress-related symptoms and adjustment issues and focuses on developing resiliency and positive coping skills."
―Jennifer L. Broach, PhD, VA Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky

"An excellent resource for the clinician dealing with returning combat veterans. The most important issues are addressed and the hands-on guidance presented fits the needs of those who see this population."
―Jay Lebow, Clinical Professor of PsychologyThe Family Institute at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois

Clinician's Guide to Treating Stress After War: Education and Coping Interventions for Veterans outlines clear strategies that mental health professionals can use to help war returnees become better able to negotiate common problems that diminish the quality of their day-to-day life, such as sleep issues, irritability, and getting along with family, friends, and colleagues.

This powerful and practical resource helps mental health professionals promote better health and better outcomes in veterans using tools such as:

• Individualized self-assessments of symptoms and concerns

• Effective suggestions, tips, and questions to enable veterans to work at their own pace on their unique problems

• Proven techniques for stress management and guidance on developing coping skills

• Useful handouts, worksheets, and quizzes

Based upon empirically validated treatment methods and best practice guidelines for acute and traumatic stress, this clinician's manual and its accompanying workbook emphasize a wellness model. They were developed and refined through the authors' twenty years of combined clinical experience working with veterans.

Clinician's Guide to Treating Stress After War assists professionals to instill hope and enthusiasm in their clients, with the ultimate goal of increasing each individual's sense of control over his or her life.

Julia M. Whealin, PhD, is the Deputy Director for Education and a research health scientist at the Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System Division of the National Center for PTSD. She has published widely on a host of veterans mental health issues including combat stress, family issues, PTSD, sexual abuse, and resilience.

Lorie T. DeCarvalho, PhD, is the founder and Director of Behavioral Health Services for Adventist Health Central California Network. She has published on pain and PTSD in various scholarly, government, self-help, and general interest publications.

Edward M. Vega, PhD, is a staff psychologist in the Trauma Recovery Program of the Atlanta VA Medical Center and has worked with veterans from all eras, as well as national guards/reservists, police officers, civilian psychiatric patients, and women who are survivors of sexual and physical abuse.