2 Hours / 2 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Veteran Identity and Mental Health: Initiation into the Military - Part 1 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 Heath training series follows a Veteran through three transition points.

This program takes the audience through the initiation process of a Veteran’s identity shift from civilian life into the military. The remaining programs explore transitions that may occur while in the military -including trauma experiences- and the return to civilian life. 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. 

This program provides the context of Veteran culture 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.” Broad military-culture-related definitions and terms 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 several reasons why Service Members join the military
  • 3 Describe knowledge of multiple transition challenges from civilian life into the military

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for anyone who works with, supports, or lives with Veterans, regardless of their career stage or professional background. It is especially relevant for those in mental health, counseling, social work, and related fields, but is also valuable for family members and researchers. The course offers unique insights and practical knowledge that benefit both newcomers and experienced professionals, as well as those with personal connections to Veterans. Past participants—including students, clinicians, family members, and researchers—have consistently reported gaining new perspectives and skills.

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for all career stages: entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals.

  • Practice Setting

    • Mental health professionals (counselors, therapists, psychologists)

    • Social workers and case managers

    • Healthcare providers in hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers

    • Staff and volunteers at Veterans’ service organizations

    • Researchers focused on Veteran populations

    • Students in relevant academic programs

    • Family members and caregivers of Veterans

    • Anyone who works with or supports Veterans in any capacity

Presented By

Kristen J. Vescera, PhD, MPH, MA, 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.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Kristen J. Vescera, PhD, MPH, MA

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Provide context of Veteran identity and define the difference between military and Veteran culture

  • Discuss reasons why people join the military

  • Discuss enlistment processes

  • Discuss core components of the military

  • Describe basic training (with video support)

  • Describe transition challenges

  • Discuss the context of Veteran identity at this transition stage

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).



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) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 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), SW CPE 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 and 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #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. CONCEPT Professional Training 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.