2 Hours / 2 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Veteran Identity and Mental Health: Military Service and Trauma - Part 3 is presented by Kristen J. Vescera, PhD, MPH, MA.

“I didn’t serve. I can’t understand what my Veteran clients went through.” The Veteran Identity and Mental Health training series follows a Veteran through three transition points.

The first two programs in this series cover Initiation into the Military and Military Service. While it is not a requirement, it is strongly recommended to take these programs in the series first. 

This third session discusses trauma experiences that are common amongst Service Members that may ultimately impact their identity as Veterans after service. Each transition point impacts the Veteran’s identity beyond their service. This includes expectations at each transitional stage of service that, if fulfilled or not, may impact one’s sense of self as a Veteran upon discharge. 

Veteran culture is explored through the lens of the military experience and asks the learner to think about the Service Member through experiential exercises in order to get “comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Military-related trauma is discussed as we consider how combat and military sexual trauma affect the identities and mental health of service members. Transition challenges during service will be explored through the context of development and identity formation. This unique learning experience offers the opportunity for learners to explore their own attitudes and beliefs about the Veterans they work with. 

This program is intended for professionals who work (or live) with Veterans at any stage of their career and can benefit from the unique perspectives available in this learning experience.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Demonstrate an understanding of Veteran identity within the context of military culture
  • 2 Describe awareness of the kinds of traumatic experiences that are unique to military service. This includes combat-related trauma and military sexual trauma
  • 3 Describe insight into the unique nature of these traumas and how they uniquely impact and challenge the mental health of service members
  • 4 Describe the various challenges associated with transitions that a Service Member may encounter throughout their military career

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for anyone who works with, supports, or lives with Veterans, regardless of professional background. It is especially relevant for those in mental health, counseling, social work, and related fields, but is also valuable for family members, caregivers, and researchers. Participants will gain unique insights and practical knowledge to better serve and understand the needs of Veterans and their families.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals (counselors, therapists, psychologists)
    • Social workers and case managers
    • Healthcare providers
    • Staff and volunteers at Veterans’ service organizations
    • Researchers focused on Veteran populations
    • Family members or caregivers of Veterans
    • Anyone who works with or supports Veterans in any capacity

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience working with Veterans.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to working with Veterans and seek foundational knowledge about military culture, trauma, and identity formation.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some experience with Veteran clients and are looking to deepen their understanding of military-related trauma, transition challenges, and the impact on mental health and identity.

    • Advanced: Participants have extensive experience with Veteran populations and are interested in refining their clinical skills, exploring complex trauma cases, and engaging in advanced self-reflection regarding their attitudes and beliefs about Veterans.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals and supporters who engage with Veterans can apply this training across clinical, community, academic, residential, and telehealth environments. It helps those who feel “I didn’t serve—I can’t understand what my Veteran clients went through” build practical, culturally informed skills to support identity and mental health through key transition points.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • VA medical centers and outpatient clinics
    • Community mental health and social service agencies
    • Private and group behavioral health practices
    • Hospitals, primary care, and integrated care teams
    • University counseling centers and training clinics
    • Veterans’ service organizations and nonprofit programs
    • Residential, rehabilitation, and substance use treatment programs
    • Telehealth platforms and crisis lines
    • Transitional housing, shelters, and reentry programs
    • Research institutes and academic centers
    • Home-based caregiving and family support contexts
Presented By

Kristen J. Vescera, PhD, MPH, MA

Dr. Kristen Vescera is a combat Veteran having served overseas in Afghanistan in 2012-2013. She spent ten years enlisted in the United States Army Reserve as a Psychological Operations Staff Sergeant and Instructor. She received her PhD in clinical psychology at Palo Alto University in 2021 where she studied suicide and resilience factors for Service Members and Veterans. She earned her master’s degree in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, concentrating on public mental health, holding certifications in health communication and health education. Dr. Vescera also received a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and Counselor Education from the University of Colorado Denver. She has published numerous book chapters and articles related to suicide prevention and resilience in multiple settings. She has held a faculty position at the University of Maryland, University College Europe and has engaged in several presentations and lectures around military culture, suicide risk and resilience factors, and other psychological principles. Dr. Vescera is currently working at the Department of Veterans Affairs Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention in Canandaigua, NY as Associate Director of Education focusing on developing, disseminating, and evaluating national training and education programs aimed at preventing and reducing Veteran suicide. 



Click the Icon Below to View More Programs by this Presenter

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).

Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.