Military Psychologist

Explore the Military Psychologist career...

Eight years of war, brutal combat situations and multiple deployments have left troops and  their families with mounting emotional pain and issues, prompting calls for more military psychologists who, the military now recognizes, are the mainsprings for healthy, productive and stable fighting forces.

military psychologist

The stress is palpable among those serving today. About 38% of soldiers and 31% of Marines report psychological symptoms after returning from deployments, according to Post-Deployment Health Re-Assessment data. After more than one deployment, those numbers increase to 40% for soldiers, and 35% for Marines.

Service members struggling emotionally with what they've seen or experienced in combat have a number of ways to connect with a military psychologist. Some military bases have mental health services available, but more often service members receive interventions at a military hospital or clinic, or a Veterans hospital. Military psychologists assess individuals to determine the extent of emotional trauma, and whether a combat-related disorder exists, such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Depending on the scope and extent of trauma, the psychologist determines whether cognitive-behavioral therapy (see CBT) or exposure therapy, or a combination of both, will lead to the best health outcomes. If the psychologist determines that an individual's behavioral issues also stem from issues going back to childhood,  psychotherapy is also a treatment option.

For family members struggling with deployment, a service member's emotional injuries, a physical disability, or the death of a parent or spouse, many options are available. Military hospitals also treat family members but because of the extent and severity of today's environment, the military has started a number of other programs and initiatives. Family members not close to military hospitals or clinics, or associated with a base, can receive help from psychologists that have either contracted with the military or accept TRICARE, insurance for military personnel and their families, to deliver immediate treatments and interventions.

These psychologists assess family members, often coming up with solutions such as working with teachers, school counselors and parents on ways to ease a child's acting out, for example, or falling grades. Or the psychologist might determine that a spouse left with managing the children, a job, and all associated household responsibilities needs the services of a support network or social service agency. These types of issues are especially pertinent for National

Guard and Reserve family members who do not reside on a base with other military families, who usually form strong networks and bonds.

Military psychologists also deploy with troops in all branches of the military - Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy, National Guard and Reserves. They are aboard aircraft carriers, on military bases overseas, and with special operational units called combat-stress-detachments. These detachments actually travel with troops, treating troubled soldiers with solution-focused therapy while in combat zones on patrol.

In Iraq, psychologists work on some of the larger installations called Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), helping military leaders identify warriors with emotional troubles, or treating those with depression, sleep problems or anxiety (see Anxiety) - many worried about family problems back home.

Because deployments have continued for several years, and will continue with the added effort now taking placing in Afghanistan, the U.S. Armed Services have stepped up efforts to connect psychologists with deployed troops, service members returning home, and military families. Additionally, the Department of Defense has started to focus on prevention programs called military and family readiness programs designed to address the psychological needs of service members and their family members before and after deployment.

All of these efforts by the military to serve its deserving members with body and mind health services has resulted in a serious shortage of psychologists in active duty. In 2007, the last year of available statistics, the American Psychological Association reported a 40% vacancy rate across all branches.

If you are an active service member, or civilian, and are considering returning to school to become a psychologist, the military often pays educational tuition, locates internships, and helps with certification. You are also guaranteed a job with benefits once you finish school.

Other organizations also need psychologists desiring to help warriors and their families. Many nonprofit organizations have formed specifically to address the shortage of military psychology professionals, offering counseling and therapy to service members and their families.

If providing psychological interventions, prevention, and therapies to either active duty service members, veterans or their families interests you, request information from schools offering psychology degree programs. Make sure the program you enroll in has been accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Enrollment officers at the schools will tell you if their program is accredited or not.