Are Private Counselors Comfortable Treating Combat-Related Trauma?

Authors

Bobbie A. Birdsall, Boise State UniversityFollow
Mary Pritchard, Boise State UniversityFollow
Patt R. Elison-Bowers, Boise State UniversityFollow
Bradley C. Smith, Boise State University
Amber Klein, Boise State University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2010

Abstract

Between 40% and 90% of Americans will experience at least one traumatic event at some point in their lifetime (Breslau et al., 1998; Ford, Stockton, Kaltman, & Green, 2006; Kessler, Sonnega, Bromet, Hughes, & Nelson, 1995; Resnick, Falsetti, Kilpatrick, & Freedy, 1996), with an adult average of four traumatic events (Breslau et al., 1998). However, certain subgroups of the population may be even more vulnerable to experiencing traumatic events and to developing a trauma-related mental health issue. In particular, over half of individuals with combat experience will develop a serious mental health issue; this number may jump as high as 96% depending upon the war in question (Sutker & Allain, 1996). Furthermore, the greater the intensity of the traumatic exposure to war, the greater the likelihood that an individual will develop a serious mental health issue as a result of their war-related trauma (Sutker, Uddo-Crane, & Allain, 1991).

Publication Information

Birdsall, Bobbie A.; Pritchard, Mary; Elison-Bowers, Patt R.; Smith, Bradley C.; and Klein, Amber. (2010). "Are Private Counselors Comfortable Treating Combat-Related Trauma?". Vistas, .