Katherine Atkins, PhD, LPC ; Laura Piccolo, LCPC

The Powerful Dynamic of Shared Experiences in Counseling Military Populations This presentation (re)introduces participants to the Competencies for Counseling Military Populations (CCMPs), but focuses specifically on two content areas: military culture and systems. Counselors are called to provide ethical and competent services to all, thus the CCMPs offers counselors a framework of foundational principles and practice for working with military-connected clients. The presentation will utilize case studies and will be interactive to show applicability of the CCMPs, specifically giving general information on the functioning and worldview of military service members and their families and what counselors need to know. The session will also use current cases to introduce attendees to general information about how Service members’ families, spouses, and children experience the nature and structure of the military lifecycle including, but not limited to, deployment, health and wellness, employment, long periods of separation, injury, and retirement.