Aims:

Understanding the “Psychological Effects of Service” is an important aspect of working with military personnel. The military conditioning process plays a key role in how ex-serving military personnel view themselves, others and the world. Whilst this is functional in a military environment, it poses significant issues for military personnel when they transition back into the civilian community. By understanding the “Soldier Mode”, you can gain a new perspective to strengthen your therapeutic relationship and to improve your clinical outcomes when working with this population.

Teaching Methods: 

A Powerpoint presentation will be delivered, which will include videos to enhance understanding. The format will be flexible to allow time for questions and discussions, in order to develop understanding. Role plays will be incorporated into the training.

Learning Objectives:

The aim of this skills workshop is to introduce clinicians to the “Soldier Mode” model. Whilst this workshop is tailored to an Army “Soldier” perspective, the model is transferable to other arms of the Defence Force, Police and emergency services. The intention is to assist clinicians understand how Schema Therapy can be most effectively used when working with military personnel through the use of the “Soldier Mode” Model.

Workshop Intended For:

Everyone

About the Presenter:
Megan Fry

Megan is a Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years experience. She operates her own private practice in Brisbane, QLD Australia. As an ex-serving soldier and military Psychologist in the Australian Defence Force, Megan has spent a large proportion of her career working with military personnel (serving and ex-serving). Since obtaining her accreditation as an Advanced Individual Schema Therapist, Megan has developed a unique schema therapy approach when working with the “Soldier mode”. This approach addresses the origins and development of this mode as a result of the conditioning effects of service.  Directly addressing the “Soldier mode” in individual and group therapy has resulted in improved clinical outcomes in this population, particularly in relation to assisting ex-serving military personnel transition into the community. Megan is currently conducting a research project at Griffith University, Australia, investigating whether a group schema therapy intervention can optimise psycho-social functioning in military personnel who have transitioned from the Australian Defence Force. The intervention specifically addresses the systemic identity, transitioning and cultural adjustment issues evident in this population to facilitate integration of military experiences, changes in identity and post-military growth.