Understanding the Psychological Impacts of Leaving Afghanistan

The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy

Understanding the Psychological Impacts of Leaving Afghanistan, Part 1: Military Veterans

An interview with Rob Bates, SFC IN USA ret., MA, LMHC, on how veterans may be responding to the US leaving Afghanistan after 20 years at war. Curt and Katie talk with Rob about his service in the military and how it has impacted his view on therapy and being a therapist. He explains how he typically works with veterans, decreasing perfectionism and shifting dehumanization to self-compassion. We also look at the unique experiences of US Veterans who have served in Afghanistan and how therapists can support these individuals more effectively during this time.

It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.

Interview with Rob Bates, SFC IN USA ret., MA, LMHC, MHP, DCR

From Rob: We can all use a little help now and then. I bring a diverse skill set of life and counseling experience. I grew up with a tumultuous household in a small community. I joined the military at a young age and have lived and worked throughout the world. I have had my own family, raising children weathering many successes and failures in the process. I continue to experience counseling as a client working with the emotions of my past and present to improve my future. My personal experience in therapy enhances my great respect for my clients' vulnerability in our sessions. I am a fellow traveler in life, as my clients learn and grow so do I.

As a soldier I spent 20 years living and working throughout the conflict regions of the world as a combat infantryman. Starting as a young Airborne Ranger with the 2nd Battalion of the 75th Regiment and finishing my career as a senior leader in the 2nd Battalion 1rst Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division. I have experienced combat in the First Iraq War, Bosnia, Kosovo, Second Iraq War, and Afghanistan. I am proud of my service and my work wherever I have been asked to go by my country.

In this episode we talk about:

• Rob’s experiences in the military and afterwards that led to his becoming a therapist for vets
• The different language that therapists speak from military personnel
• The unique skill sets, knowledge, concerns that therapists should have or be aware of when working with military members and vets
• How military members live in a zero-defect environment and how therapists can consider working with vets to decrease this mindset when returning to civilian life
• The bias and judgment that can negatively impact work with folks in the military, especially around life and death decisions
• The importance of military clients understanding therapist’s ability to manage secondary traumatization
• Typical responses to the decision around the drawdown in Afghanistan after the peace agreement as well as the very recent chaotic evacuation
• The moral injury related to walking away from Afghanistan
• The relationships that were developed between US military personnel and Afghan military personnel and civilians and how “abandoning” them to the danger of the Taliban is impacting veterans and those who are evacuating
• The impact of social media and commentary on perception and meaning-making
• The ethical and moral decision-making that is happening at all levels
• The process of dehumanization during wartime, creating psychological safety during combat
• The complicated grief that is further complicated by the US leaving Afghanistan and the complex trauma and survivor’s guilt
• The importance of helping veterans to develop self-compassion
• Identity issues that may be challenged with the withdrawal from Afghanistan
• A fuller picture of service in Afghanistan (including humanitarian missions)
• What may happen when the news cycle shifts to the next big news story
• Creating new purpose and meaning to mitigate tendency toward suicidality