COUN-5238 Week 8 Discussion: Crisis Counseling in the Military and Higher Education

Introduction to the Assignment

This COUN-5238 Week 8 Discussion: Crisis Counseling in the Military and Higher Education assignment invites you to engage critically with the unique aspects of counseling within military settings and higher education environments. By exploring advanced therapeutic options like MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, reflecting on grief within military life, and assessing educational policies like Title IX, you will deepen your understanding of these complex issues. This Owlisdom guide aims to provide clear, structured advice on how to approach each component of your discussion post effectively.

This week we reviewed counseling in two special populations/settings—in military families and in higher education. Here are some ideas for your post to get you started:MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has been designated as a breakthrough therapy for treatment-resistant PTSD. This new and controversial treatment has many considerations. Discuss your own thoughts and feelings about the use of MDMA to aid in treating PTSD. What questions do you have? What are the potential benefits? Drawbacks? Think critically and challenge one another as you explore this possibility.

Guidelines for Completing the Assignment

1. Understanding MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy

• Exploring the Treatment: Begin by researching the specifics of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Understand its designation as a breakthrough therapy and its application in treating PTSD.
• Analyzing Benefits and Drawbacks: List potential benefits, such as accelerated emotional processing, and drawbacks, like regulatory concerns or side effects. Weigh these against conventional therapies.
• Formulating Critical Questions: Develop questions that reflect your concerns or curiosity about this treatment, considering its ethical implications, long-term effects, and societal acceptance.

Example

This week’s discussion explores crisis counseling in military settings and higher education. Our aim is to critically evaluate new therapies and understand policy impacts on affected individuals.

MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, designated as a breakthrough therapy for treatment-resistant PTSD, offers a novel approach to managing severe psychological trauma. The potential benefits of this therapy include accelerated emotional processing and reduced avoidance of traumatic memories, which are critical hurdles for traditional treatments (Smith et al., 2022). However, the drawbacks must also be considered, such as the risk of misuse, potential psychological dependency, and the societal stigma associated with using psychoactive substances in treatment settings. The critical questions here involve the therapy’s long-term effectiveness and ethical implications of its use.

Describe the presence of grief and loss within the military lifestyle.

2. Exploring Grief and Loss in Military Life

• Identifying Common Grief Situations: Describe scenarios unique to military life that may lead to grief, such as frequent relocations or loss of comrades.
• Discussing Impact on Families: Analyze how these grief situations affect family dynamics and individual well-being.

Grief and Loss within the Military Lifestyle Example

Grief and loss are pervasive in military life, often exacerbated by frequent deployments, the danger of active duty, and the high mobility of military families. These factors can lead to significant emotional and psychological stress, affecting family cohesion and individual mental health (McCullough et al., 2023). Discussing these issues highlights the need for specialized grief counseling in military settings to address unique emotional challenges.

In Chapter 14, you learned about Title IX, the Clery Act, and Campus SaVE. Were you aware of these responses to sexual harassment? How do you feel your university (or your undergraduate university) does at educating students about their rights?

3. Analyzing Educational Policies in Higher Education

• Understanding Title IX, Clery Act, and Campus SaVE: Provide a brief overview of these policies and their purpose in addressing sexual harassment and violence.
• Evaluating University Responses: Reflect on how well your university educates and protects its students under these policies. Use specific examples or observations.
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Example

Title IX and Campus Policies
Awareness of Title IX, the Clery Act, and Campus SaVE is crucial in higher education as these policies address sexual harassment and violence on campuses. Reflecting on how universities implement these policies can reveal gaps in student awareness and safety measures. It prompts a discussion on the effectiveness of these policies in real-world educational settings and how they can be improved to ensure a safer environment for all students.

Conclusion
This discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding and improving crisis counseling practices in specialized environments. It seeks to enhance our approaches to PTSD, grief, and policy-driven safety in educational and military settings.

References

McCullough, A. J., Likcani, A., & Hartenstein, J. L. (2023). Grief Process and Support Systems for Military Widows. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 35(2), 155–178. https://doi.org/10.1080/08952833.2023.2210940 

Smith, K. W., Sicignano, D. J., Hernandez, A. V., & White, C. M. (2022). MDMA‐Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review With Meta‐Analysis. The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 62(4), 463–471. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcph.1995

What about this week’s content did you find to be of most interest?

4. Reflecting on Weekly Content

• Identifying Key Learning Points: Summarize what you found most compelling or significant about this week’s content, and why it stood out to you.

5. Writing Your Post

• Structuring and Organizing: Ensure your post has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Organize your thoughts coherently, aligning them with the outlined topics.
• Writing Mechanics: Use correct grammar, punctuation, and professional language. Keep your post succinct and focused.

Engaging with Peers

• Providing Constructive Feedback: Offer insights or alternative perspectives that can help your classmates expand their understanding.
• Expanding on Classmate’s Ideas: Build on ideas shared by peers, linking them with your own experiences or additional research.

Response

Hi, 

Your discussion offers a comprehensive analysis of the critical aspects of crisis counseling in military and educational settings. I appreciate how you’ve balanced the potential benefits and drawbacks of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, especially noting the ethical concerns that accompany its use. Your points on the pervasive nature of grief within military life also resonate deeply, underscoring the need for tailored counseling approaches that address these unique challenges. Additionally, your critique of university policies regarding Title IX and related acts adds a crucial perspective on the effectiveness of these measures in safeguarding students. Expanding on your points, I believe integrating continuous feedback mechanisms from students and military personnel could further enhance these counseling practices and policies, ensuring they remain relevant and effective.

Conclusion: Synthesizing Key Takeaways

In closing, this COUN-5238 Week 8 Discussion: Crisis Counseling in the Military and Higher Education assignment offers a platform to explore and critically assess various aspects of crisis counseling in specialized settings. By engaging thoughtfully with the content and your peers, you contribute to a richer understanding of the challenges and solutions in these areas. Utilize this guide to structure your discussion posts effectively, ensuring they are insightful, well-crafted, and reflective of your learning journey. You can also read COUN-5238 complete modules to ace the course!