The Effects of Gestalt-centered Equine Facilitated Therapy on Marital Satisfaction in Relationships in which One Member is a Combat Veteran Suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

The Effects of Gestalt-centered Equine Facilitated Therapy on Marital Satisfaction in Relationships in which One Member is a Combat Veteran Suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PDF Author: J. Tyler Skidmore
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Gestalt therapy
Languages : en
Pages : 214

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The Impact of Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Combat Veterans

The Impact of Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Combat Veterans PDF Author: Diane Loffmin
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Horses
Languages : en
Pages : 140

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Marriage and PTSD in OIF/OEF Veterans

Marriage and PTSD in OIF/OEF Veterans PDF Author: Jessica Bergstrom
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Adjustment (Psychology)
Languages : en
Pages : 172

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The goal of this study was to examine the relationships between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, coping style, anger, substance use, and marital functioning among couples (n = 20) in which one spouse was a veteran of either Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). A cross-sectional design that used self-report and clinical interview assessments was conducted. The data analyses were guided by Engel's (1977) biopsychosocial framework. Study participants identified as Caucasian (55%), Hispanic (15%), Asian (15%), African American (5%), and Native American (5%). The mean age of the participants was 37.5 (range 25-50). On average, couples were married or living as married for just over 5 years (SD=3.5). All combat veterans (n=10) in this sample were male and the spouses or partners female (n=10). Education level among the sample consisted of 60% having completed a college degree or some post-baccalaureate work, 20% completed some college or a two-year college program, and 20% completed a high school degree. Using partial correlation analyses, the current study theorized that a negative relationship would exist between greater PTSD symptoms and poorer marital satisfaction. While these results were supported among the veteran sample, these results were not indicated between the spouses. Exploratory analyses demonstrated that for both veterans and their spouses, greater symptoms of the Reexperiencing cluster were associated with greater alcohol use, and greater symptoms of the Avoidance cluster were associated with greater behavioral disengagement among veterans. Further exploratory analysis also found that the Hyperarousal Cluster was the only cluster significantly related to lower reports on marital satisfaction. The findings support previous clinical recommendations of the importance of implementing dyadic interventions involving both partners as well as treatment targeting problematic social behaviors thereby mitigating marital distress as well as symptoms of PTSD.

Equine-Assisted Mental Health for Healing Trauma

Equine-Assisted Mental Health for Healing Trauma PDF Author: Kay Sudekum Trotter
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429850727
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 211

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Book Description
Clinicians have long recognized that trauma therapy provides a pathway to recovery, and Equine-Assisted Mental Health for Healing Trauma provides that pathway for those who work with horses and clients together. This book demonstrates a range of equine-assisted mental health approaches and step-by-step strategies for facilitating recovery from trauma for children, adults, and families. Chapters address topics such as chronic childhood trauma, accident-related trauma, complex trauma and dissociation, posttraumatic growth in combat veterans, somatic experiencing and attachment, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), reactive attachment disorder (RAD), relational trauma, and sexual trauma. Experts also provide case studies accompanied by transcript analyses to demonstrate the process of trauma healing. Clinicians will come away from the book with a wealth of theoretical and practical skills and an in-depth, trauma-informed understanding that they can use directly in their work with clients.

Horses Healing the Wounded Warrior

Horses Healing the Wounded Warrior PDF Author: Rebecca R. Wara-Goss
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 265

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Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a major concern for military veterans in the United States and current research on women's experiences in the military and the effects of their postmilitary PTSD are limited. Currently, there are a variety of evidence-based and alternative treatment options for veterans with PTSD, and one alternative treatment option includes equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP). EFP is a form of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) that integrates the human–animal bond as part of treatment and recovery. The purpose of this exploratory study was to explore in-depth experiences of the horse–human relationship in EFP with female veterans to elucidate how the horse–human relationship may assist in reducing impacts of PTSD. The research question was, "What is the lived experience of EFP in female veterans with PTSD?" The research was designed as an exploratory qualitative inquiry study that utilized semi-structured interviews with 10 female veterans. The findings from this study included six theme groupings with a total of thirty-three themes found. The most significant themes common to five or more participants included: Emotional discomfort with the horse, Spiritual experience with the horse, Experience of safety with the horse, Visual contact with the horse, Emotional connection with the horse, Beneficial impact of therapy, Increased connection with others, Reduced anxiety, Reduced withdrawal, EFP advocacy for others, and Delayed awareness of PTSD. Through exploring the nature of the human–animal bond in EFP, this research revealed invaluable insights into the potential healing power of horses and alternative mental health treatment options and served to honor women's experiences in the military. In addition, this qualitative study provided an opportunity to gather rich detail and general information as to the effects of EFP for sufferers of PTSD.

The Role of Social Support, Marital Satisfaction, and Psychological Symptoms in Spouses Living with a Combat Veteran with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

The Role of Social Support, Marital Satisfaction, and Psychological Symptoms in Spouses Living with a Combat Veteran with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PDF Author: Joy A. Henderson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Post-traumatic stress disorder
Languages : en
Pages : 142

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This research explored combat veterans and their spouses or partners self-report of marital/familial functioning with the Relationship Assesment Scale and the McMaster Family Assessment Device, positive and negative social experiences (spouse and veteran; Social Experiences Checklist), and perceived PTSD symptoms in the veteran with the Mississippi Scale for Combat Related PTSD (MPTSD). Veterans were found to report unhealthy marital and familial functioning in association with increased PTSD symptoms. Additionally, as PTSD symptoms intensified, the veterans' description of negative social experiences increased. Veterans reported positive social experiences when their families were proficient in healthy styles of communication. Marital and familial dysfunction described by the spouse rose as the veterans' Social Alienation and Anger/Lability symptoms increased. Additionally, when the spouses described higher scores on the Anger/Lability MPTSD subscale, they perceived an increase in negative social experiences. However, no other subscales met significance on the spouses' perception of positive and negative social experiences in their lives. Finally, when spouses described their lives as including mostly positive social experiences, their marriages and families were reported as healthy. Based on inferences drawn from the research, an evaluation of therapeutic needs of the military family and applications for research is included.

Ride It Out

Ride It Out PDF Author: Ellen Kaye Gehrke, PhD
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781733833608
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 122

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Book Description
If you are a veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, your symptoms-anxiety, fear, flashbacks, and more-may feel insurmountable, despite traditional treatments and medications. However, researcher, professor, and horsewoman, Dr. Ellen Kaye Gehrke has created an extraordinary, non-pharmaceutical program to help minimize even the most debilitating PTSD symptoms: through heart-centered connection with horses. Based on her evidence-based research, Gehrke developed an equine therapy program, called HEART OF HORSEMANSHIP(c), at her ranch in Ramona, California, where veterans work with horses and learn how to - Reestablish trust - Stay present - Communicate with confidence - Find aliveness - Work as a team - Feel whole in their heartShe shares that program with you in Ride It Out, which details the course progression from meeting the horse for the first time, to making and building an authentic connection. The outcome leads participants to designing and confidently leading a more wholehearted life. Participants realize that they do not have to endure the pain, turmoil, and isolation that results from trauma. Ride It Out will guide the reader through the experiences of the veterans/instructors/counselors and family members.

Exploring Therapists' Conceptions of Equine Facilitated/ Assisted Psychotherapy for Combat Veterans Experiencing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Exploring Therapists' Conceptions of Equine Facilitated/ Assisted Psychotherapy for Combat Veterans Experiencing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PDF Author: Barbara Abrams
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 308

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Understanding the Effects of War-related Trauma and Deployment on the Couple Relationship

Understanding the Effects of War-related Trauma and Deployment on the Couple Relationship PDF Author: Stephanie Wick
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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The purpose of the current study is to understand the lived experiences of military couples regarding the effects of war-related trauma and deployment on couple functioning. An interpretive phenomenological perspective was utilized during data analysis. This type of phenomenological perspective suggests that human phenomena can only be understood in a situated context (Packer & Addison, 1989). This is to suggest that a person0́9s emotions, behaviors, and experiences cannot be separated from the context in which they occur. For the purpose of this study, the "context" under consideration was the Army culture and customs in which each of the participant couples was embedded. The Couple Adaptation to Traumatic Stress Model (CATS; Nelson Goff & Smith, 2005) offers a constructive step forward in systemically understanding and treating the impediments created by war-related trauma and deployment. The current study utilized the core terms included in the CATS Model (Nelson Goff & Smith, 2005) as sensitizing concepts to guide the qualitative analysis process. This includes the CATS Model couple functioning variables of attachment, satisfaction, stability, adaptability, support/nurturance, power, intimacy, communication, conflict, and roles. Using qualitative interviews from 90 participants (n = 45 couples), five themes were identified as salient, including communication, conflict management, roles, support/nurturance, and post-traumatic growth. Participants were divided into subgroups (n = 15 couples, 30 total participants) according to their scores on the Purdue Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale -- Revised (PPTSD-R; Lauterbach & Vrana, 1996) and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS; Spanier, 1976). This subsample was selected to examine differences in themes among couples with high and low levels of marital satisfaction, as well as those with high and low levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms. Many similarities were found among the couples with high marital satisfaction and those with low levels of post-traumatic symptoms. Likewise, similarities were also discovered among the couples with lowest levels of marital satisfaction and those with highest levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms. From the current study, there is clear evidence in support of the CATS Model elements of communication, conflict, roles, support/nurturance, and satisfaction. A new contribution to the CATS Model can be made from the current study, which is the inclusion of post-traumatic growth.

Dyadic Factors Associated with Post-deployment Adjustment for National Guard Couples

Dyadic Factors Associated with Post-deployment Adjustment for National Guard Couples PDF Author: Lisa A. Gorman
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Adjustment (Psychology)
Languages : en
Pages : 490

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