Working with Military Families: Impact of Deployment
Course Overview
Much has been written on the effects of deployment and war on military servicemen and women, including experiences of post-traumatic stress and readjustment to civilian life after deployment. However, the effects of the various phases of deployment on the family system are often overlooked. The goal of this course is to provide practitioners with an overview of the psychosocial effects of deployment on family members. The course will discuss the five phases of the deployment cycle and each phase's unique challenges. In addition, the military culture and how this culture affects how families cope, readjust, and seek help will be explored. Finally, various treatments, interventions, and best practices will be offered for practitioners working with military families.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Describe the basic demographic profile of military personnel.
- Explain how the military culture affects how family members cope and adjust to deployment and help-seeking.
- Identify stressors for family members associated with each stage of the deployment cycle.
- Evaluate different theoretical frameworks to understand how deployment affects military families.
- Discuss the physical, social, and psychological effects of deployment on the family.
- Outline the impact of social problems in military families.
- Describe assessments when working with military families in relation to coping with deployment.
- Explain different interventions and treatments for military family members experiencing deployment.
- Identify ethical issues for practitioners working with military personnel and families within a military context.
About the Author/Presenter
Alice Yick Flanagan, PhD, MSW, received her Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University, School of Social Work. She has clinical experience in mental health in correctional settings, psychiatric hospitals, and community health centers. In 1997, she received her PhD from UCLA, School of Public Policy and Social Research. Dr. Yick Flanagan completed a year-long post-doctoral fellowship at Hunter College, School of Social Work in 1999. In that year she taught the course Research Methods and Violence Against Women to Masters degree students, as well as conducting qualitative research studies on death and dying in Chinese American families.
Previously acting as a faculty member at Capella University and Northcentral University, Dr. Yick Flanagan is currently a contributing faculty member at Walden University, School of Social Work, and a dissertation chair at Grand Canyon University, College of Doctoral Studies, working with Industrial Organizational Psychology doctoral students. She also serves as a consultant/subject matter expert for the New York City Board of Education and publishing companies for online curriculum development, developing practice MCAT questions in the area of psychology and sociology. Her research focus is on the area of culture and mental health in ethnic minority communities.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
Colibri Healthcare
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Counselor, Psychology, Social Work
If you require special accommodations, please contact Colibri Healthcare Support by clicking here: Contact Us
