It is coming up on that time change time-of-year. Many look ahead to having to change the clocks with dread, while others may go about their days in blissful ignorance until a well-meaning coworker or friend sends a reminder. When the time comes, most people will experience at least some sleep disruption, feel moody or irritable, and some will be involved in a traffic accident or work mishap.
I’ve had mixed experiences with group therapy in my clinical practice. There’s no doubt that groups offer unique benefits beyond individual therapy. But they can also be difficult to initiate, in terms of recruiting group members, conducting screenings, and finding a time (and location) that works for all. And, in my experience, the choice to offer a group can sometimes be made out of necessity, as opposed to being a thoughtful recommendation based on the particular needs of the patient(s)
In the world of treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) there seems to be an insatiable desire for new and novel treatments, and there is a frequent refrain that “We need effective treatments for PTSD!”
There have been several points in my career where I was the sole (or sole pediatric) provider in a particular area. I remember those periods with a mixture of emotions: gratitude for the opportunity to serve those in need coupled with concern that I lacked geographically close colleagues or referral options for my patients. Consultation with colleagues (usually far away) was a lifeline and a way to ensure I offered the best evidence-based care I could, especially when patients were on long waitlists for referrals to other specialists who needed to be involved in their care. Nonetheless, at times I felt like I was operating within the echo chamber of my mind (pun intended).
We often hear about the high rates of mental health disorders among service members; however, these rates typically reflect only those diagnoses received or the disorders treated while in-garrison. The mental health burden experienced while in-theater has been frequently underreported. This represents an important gap in our understanding of the behavioral health care needs of service members while deployed as well as the training needs of deploying providers.