What is the difference between Behaviorism and Neo Behaviorism?

It depends on who is defining “neobehaviorism” and when “behaviorism” became “neobehaviorism”.

Behaviorism evolved from the time of Watson, Pavlov and Thorndike (et al) to what many call “radical behaviorism” or “operant conditioning” as proposed by the late, great B.F. Skinner (Harvard University).

Early behaviorists, including Skinner, saw things in terms of stimulus and response in one form or another. It was not until Albert Ellis, Aaron Beck, Don Meichenbaum and others came along, proposing that thought (language) also played a large role in determining human behavior.

More recently, Marsha Linehan, Steven Hayes and others have taken behaviorism to the next level (sometimes referred to as the “Third Wave” of behaviorism), introducing mindfulness (meditation) and the ability to separate out thoughts from our behaviors as is the case in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as developed by Dr. Steven Hayes.

That is the short version and my opinion regarding the evolution of behaviorism and/or neobehaviorism, however one wants to define them. It would take several books to cover the topic succinctly, so take my version for what it is worth.

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Title: What is the difference between Behaviorism and Neo Behaviorism?

Key Words: psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive, behavioral, therapy, CBT, behavior, behaviorism, CombatCounselor, mindfulness, anxiety, depression, Body, Mind, BMBT, treatment, DBT, ACT

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BMB BASIC TRAINING - Episode 7: "Values"

In this episode of BMB BASIC TRAINING, Chris discusses "values" or the lack thereof in society, American and around the world, today. Individuals, institutions, and nation states are in disarray today, and Chris believes it is because of a lack of or alienation from CORE VALUES. They either never had any values to begin with or have lost their way somehow.

Chris goes on to describe how to define values as well as how you can define your own values and goals. Without values and goals, people and institutions tend to act based on emotion, and that is not a smart way to act in a world where we depend on one another.

Body-Mind-Behavior Therapy helps people and groups learn to focus on the present moment, StayPresent; develop resilience skills in order to be able to act more effectively when challenged by crisis, BeResilient; and how to define and commit to acting in accordance with those values...it does not get much simpler than that!

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Title: BMB BASIC TRAINING - Episode 7: "Values"

Key Words: BASIC, TRAINING, CombatCounselor, mindfulness, anxiety, depression, Body, Mind, BMBT, treatment, cognitive, behavioral, CBT, dialectical, behavior, DBT, Acceptance, Commitment, Therapy, ACT, 

BMB BASIC TRAINING - Episode 6 - "StayPresent, BeResilient, StayTheCourse" ™

In BMB BASIC TRAINING - Episode 6, entitled "StayPresent, BeResilient, StayTheCourse" ™, CombatCounselor describes the three pillars of Body-Mind-Behavior Therapy (BMBT), putting each in the proper context. Learn how to focus on the present moment (here and now), develop resilience skills, and live in accordance with your values.

Contentment and a value-driven life are yours with the knowledge and skills provided in BMBT and CombatCounselor helps you locate the path to your own enlightenment on CombatCounselor Channel and on his blog: CombatCounselor.com

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Title: BMB BASIC TRAINING - Episode 6 - "StayPresent, BeResilient, StayTheCourse" ™

Key Words: BASIC, TRAINING, CombatCounselor, mindfulness, anxiety, depression, Body, Mind, BMBT, treatment, cognitive, behavioral, CBT, dialectical, behavior, DBT, Acceptance, Commitment, Therapy, ACT, 

BMB BASIC TRAINING - Episode 5: "What is Mindfulness? How Do I StayPresent?"

Are you tired of being anxious or depressed? Have you tried everything, yet are still looking for the magic answer? Well, you've been wasting your time. That's right! The therapies and self-help books you have been so diligently following are all wrong! 

I'm Chris Sorrentino, better known as Combat Counselor. The answer to your problems is not in the content of your life or thoughts, but in the context. You've been looking at your problems from the wrong perspective! No wonder you never seem to get any better! 

My weekly series, BMB BASIC TRAINING, takes you through the details of my exciting new therapy, Body-Mind-Behavior Therapy. Episode 1, 2, 3, and 4 are already complete and in upcoming episodes I will answer questions from viewers about how BMBT works and how it can help you.

This week's question: "What is Mindfulness and how Do I StayPresent?" - Elisa F. - Lawrence, Kansas

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Title: BMB BASIC TRAINING - Episode 5: "What is Mindfulness? How Do I StayPresent?"

Key Words: BASIC, TRAINING, CombatCounselor, mindfulness, anxiety, depression, Body, Mind, BMBT, treatment, cognitive, behavioral, CBT, dialectical, behavior, DBT, Acceptance, Commitment, Therapy, ACT, 

BMB BASIC TRAINING - Episode 4: "StayPresent, BeResilient, StayTheCourse"™

Are you tired of being anxious or depressed? Have you tried everything, yet are still looking for the magic answer? Well, you've been wasting your time. That's right! The therapies and self-help books you have been so diligently following are all wrong! 

I'm Chris Sorrentino, better known as Combat Counselor. The answer to your problems is not in the content of your life or thoughts, but in the context. You've been looking at your problems from the wrong perspective! No wonder you never seem to get any better! 

My weekly series, BMB BASIC TRAINING, takes you through the details of my exciting new therapy, Body-Mind-Behavior Therapy. Episode 1, 2, and 3 are already complete and in upcoming episodes I will answer questions from viewers about how BMBT works and how it can help you.

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Title: BMB BASIC TRAINING - Episode 4: "StayPresent, BeResilient, StayTheCourse"™

Key Words: BASIC, TRAINING, CombatCounselor, mindfulness, anxiety, depression, Body, Mind, BMBT, treatment, cognitive, behavioral, CBT, dialectical, behavior, DBT, Acceptance, Commitment, Therapy, ACT, 

BMB BASIC TRAINING Episode 3 - "The First Sessions"

In Episode 3, CombatCounselor answers the question: 

What happens in the first sessions of therapy? What can I expect? - Matt S. Colorado Springs, CO

CombatCounselor focuses on the therapeutic relationship, assessment, and the first phase of Body-Mind-Behavior Therapy (BMBT), the Body. He explains how diet,exercise, and sleep are critical to mental and physical health, giving some tips based on his experience and studies. Finally, he discusses mindful meditation of the breath, an integral part of BMBT and something he starts from the very beginning.

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Title: BMB BASIC TRAINING Episode 3 - "The First Sessions"

Key Words: BASIC, TRAINING, CombatCounselor, mindfulness, anxiety, depression, Body, Mind, BMBT, treatment, cognitive, behavioral, CBT, dialectical, behavior, DBT, Acceptance, Commitment, Therapy, ACT, 

Watch All 12 Episodes Of BMB Basic Training ... FREE ... With A New Episode Posted Every Saturday Morning

Now you can watch a new episode of BMB BASIC TRAINING with CombatCounselor starting every Saturday morning for 12 consecutive weeks!

BMB BASIC TRAINING focuses on mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy and the "100% natural" things you can do to eliminate anxiety and depression from your life. 

Chris Sorrentino (aka CombatCounselor) earned his B.A. in Psychology (1980) and an M.S. in Clinical Psychology (1982) at Cal State Los Angeles, becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) in 1991 while an Associate Professor of Psychology at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Chris is a highly decorated veteran of four combat operations, having retired from the United States Air Force as a lieutenant colonel after 20 years of dedicated service to his country. 

In BMB BASIC TRAINING, Chris discusses Body-Mind-Behavior Therapy (BMBT), his proprietary approach to treatment as well as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

All 12 videos in the series, 3 hours and 15 minutes in total, will be published on this blog AT NO CHARGE every Saturday morning after 3:00 AM (PST). Unlike most "free" programs, there are no gimmicks because I have absolutely nothing sell. I am offering my 34 years of education and experience totally free in order to help you live an anxiety and depression-free life.

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Title: Watch All 12 Episodes Of BMB Basic Training ... FREE ... With A New Episode Posted Every Saturday Morning

Key Words: BASIC, TRAINING, CombatCounselor, mindfulness, anxiety, depression, Body, Mind, BMBT, treatment, cognitive, behavioral, CBT, dialectical, behavior, DBT, Acceptance, Commitment, Therapy, ACT, 

BMB BASIC TRAINING - Epsode 2: "Client Beware"

In Episode 2 of BMB Basic Training, CombatCounselor explains the difference between different types of therapists (counselors, psychologists, life coaches, etc) and what to look for when hiring a therapist. Particularly important are licensure and certification, so ask to see their credentials before saying a word or paying a penny.

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Title: BMB BASIC TRAINING - Episode 2: "Client Beware"

Key Words: BASIC, TRAINING, CombatCounselor, mindfulness, anxiety, depression, Body, Mind, BMBT, treatment, cognitive, behavioral, CBT, dialectical, behavior, DBT, Acceptance, Commitment, Therapy, ACT

BMB BASIC TRAINING - Episode 1: Introduction to Body-Mind-Behavior Therapy (BMBT)

Series "premier" of BMB BASIC TRAINING with CombatCounselor - Episode 1: An Introduction to Body-Mind-Behavior Therapy (BMBT)

BMB BASIC TRAINING is a YouTube series on the "CombatCounselor" Channel which focuses on mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy and the things you can do to eliminate anxiety and depression from your life. 

Chris Sorrentino (LPC, NCC) discusses Body-Mind-Behavior Therapy (BMBT), his proprietary approach to treatment as well as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

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Title: BMB BASIC TRAINING - Episode 1: Introduction to Body-Mind-Behavior Therapy (BMBT)

Key Words: BASIC, TRAINING, CombatCounselor, mindfulness, anxiety, depression, Body, Mind, BMBT, treatment, cognitive, behavioral, CBT, dialectical, behavior, DBT, Acceptance, Commitment, Therapy, ACT, 

Free Video Series Now Available On CombatCounselor.com - Learn How To Eliminate Anxiety And Depression From Your Life Naturally

BMB BASIC TRAINING with CombatCounselor focuses on mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy and the "100% natural" things you can do to eliminate anxiety and depression from your life. 

Chris Sorrentino earned his B.A. in Psychology (1980) and an M.S. in Clinical Psychology (1982) at Cal State Los Angeles, becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) in 1991 while an Associate Professor of Psychology at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Chris is a highly decorated veteran of four combat operations, having retired from the United States Air Force as a lieutenant colonel after 20 years of dedicated service to his country. Leading over 2,000 airmen during his career, Chris was highly respected by the men and women that worked for and with him as well as others he had the honor of serving with.

In BMB BASIC TRAINING, Chris discusses Body-Mind-Behavior Therapy (BMBT), his proprietary approach to treatment as well as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

All 12 videos in the series, 3 hours and 15 minutes in total, will be published on this blog AT NO CHARGE. There are no gimmicks because I have nothing sell. I am offering my 34 years of education and experience totally free in order to help you live an anxiety and depression-free life.

Follow Me To Mental Health!

Follow Me On Twitter ... 2,300 Followers And Growing!

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Subscribe To My Popular Blog ... Nearing 100,000 Visitors!

Title: Free Video Series Now Available On CombatCounselor.com - Learn How To Eliminate Anxiety And Depression From Your Life Naturally

Key Words: BASIC, TRAINING, CombatCounselor, mindfulness, anxiety, depression, Body, Mind, BMBT, treatment, cognitive, behavioral, CBT, dialectical, behavior, DBT, Acceptance, Commitment, Therapy, ACT, 

Online Therapy: Boon or Bust?

In a modern world with technology making it easier and easier to communicate across the street or around the planet, we as psychotherapists face uncharted ground and ethically borderline situations when communicating with clients. I see people who call themselves "therapists" on Twitter and other social networking sites offering therapy via email and Skype (to name just two potential platforms) ... AND THAT CONCERNS ME!

Based on my experience, education, and knowledge of clinical ethical standards for our profession, email is "dodgy" to say the least, offering little protection for confidential communications. Skype therapy has been challenged by licensing boards and professional ethical standards (National Board of Certified Counselors, American Counseling Association, American Mental Health Counselors Association) based on state of licensure, with restrictions on whom licensed clinicians can see, particularly concerning domicile of both parties.

In Missouri and Colorado, two states in which I am licensed, licensed professional counselors (LPC) like myself ARE NOT ALLOWED to see clients outside of our state, even if it happens to be over the internet. The reasons for this are numerous, but, most importantly, the well being of our clients should be utmost in our minds. We cannot travel across state lines to see clients and, therefore, cannot travel virtually cross state lines via the internet either.

There are situations where it may be advantageous to see clients remotely, especially when a client is housebound or in geographically remote areas where face-to-face visits would be cost or time prohibitive. Otherwise, it is ALMOST ALWAYS IN THE CLIENTS BEST INTEREST to meet in person. 

Research on language has indicated that a majority of human communication is "non-verbal" with estimates ranging from 70 to 90 percent. Body language is one non-verbal mode of commuication where context is critical in understanding what is being communicated. Electronic commuications do not allow us to experience body language when discussing sensitive and often complex personal experience as is necessary when performing psychotherapy. Intonation is another non-verbal cue we use to determine what exactly is being communicated, a phenomena that is severely restricted, particularly in written communication.

Confidentiality is of utmost concern when working with clients and electronic commuications are not secure, allowing for potential exposure of extremely sensitive experiences, thoughts, and emotions. Would you want the NSA listening in on your therapy season?  I know I do not!

The individuals performing "Skype Therapy" are many times unlicensed, a fact that can easily be manipulated on websites, blogs, and social networking sites. Few understand that WE MUST BE LICSENED in the state in which we practice in order to offer psychotherapy to the public. Licensure involves AT LEAST a masters degree in psychology or counsleng, and in some cases a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. On top of the degree, practicums, supervision, and post-graduate experience totaling in the thousands of hours (3,000 and up in most states) are required in addition to passing a national exam in order to become licensed. People have been "hanging shingles" for many years without proper training, education, and licensure, so why would things be any different today? 

I have preached about unlicensed and other unqualified individuals (can you say "life coach?) elsewhere in this blog, so I will not elaborate here. It will suffice to say that being "certified" is not enough. I, for example, am a National Certfied Counselor (NBCC - since 1991), but I am AND MUST BE licensed in the state in which I practice in order to LEGALLY PERFORM PSYCHOTHERAY. 

As I have also mentioned in other articles, YOU MUST CHECK AN INDIVIDUALS LICENSE BEFORE INITIATNG THERAPY WITH THE STATE REGULATORY AGENCY COVERING PSYCHOTHERAPISTS IN YOUR AREA. Then, and only then, should you consider undergoing treatment, whether it is face-to-face or over the internet. I would recommend face-to-face treatment in all but the most austere or complex situations.

Letter to the Editor: Air Force Times ... Preferential Treatment and Mixed Martial Arts as Treatment for PTSD?

After reading the August 12, 2013 issue of Air Force Times, I had to respond to two columns: Volunteerism and TransitioningVeteran.com and mixed martial arts (MMA) as an alternative treatment for PTSD (Bret Moore).

Volunteerism is an important topic and I applaud Air Force Times and the author for bringing this to the attention of your readers. What I do not understand is why one individual and his "pet project" received preferential treatment and outstanding (gratis) advertising when many other very deserving organizations, non-profits serving military and Veterans for example, are routinely overlooked.

As leader of a struggling non-profit serving military and Veterans with PTSD, I have submitted numerous letters and articles to your publication (several letters having been published), but was never offered an opportunity to showcase our non-profit ... Help4VetsPTSD (http://www.Help4VetsPTSD.org). I have published numerous articles related to military and Veteran mental health, the most recent in January's De Oppresso Liber magazine entitled "The Stigma Killing American Heroes", but have never been invited to be highlighted in your publication.

Why does TransitioningVeteran.com, an apparent for-profit enterprise, receive preferential treatment? This is not the first time I have seen private organizations given special treatment in your publication and it will likely not be the last.

In regard to Dr. Moore's column touting mixed martial arts and yoga as therapeutic alternatives, providing "substantial dividends" for PTSD sufferers, I have to raise the BS flag.

Yoga has been studied in empirically supported research studies and has been shown to provide positive dividends for those suffering from PTSD and other anxiety disorders. Yoga and other meditative states are beneficial (statistically), lowering cortisol levels and improving other stress-related symptoms when compared to no treatment.

Dr. Moore provided no reference to empirically supported, published research studies for either yoga or MMA and I do not recall ever having read anything about MMA being an effective alternative treatment for ANY chronic psychiatric condition, particularly PTSD.

I believe it is irresponsible for an individual, much less such a publication with a primarily military and Veteran audience as Military Times, to claim that a sport in which people beat each other to within an inch of their lives as therapeutic. There may very well be positive physical and mental benefits to both yoga and MMA, but it is irresponsible and unprofessional to claim that either deserves such prominence in your publication without adequate supporting research or, at the very least, a reference to a published study that provides empirically supported evidence of such a benefit.

Finally, Dr. Moore clearly does not understand the processes involved in yoga/meditation and their effects on lowering anxiety. He claims that yoga helps PTSD sufferers "fend off distressing thoughts", another form of avoidance and something any reasonable clinician would NOT want to promote in our clients. Yoga, meditation, and other Buddhist practices and beliefs DO NOT promote avoiding distressing thoughts, they DO promote simply accepting those thoughts in the present moment, thereby making them less threatening and increasing the individual's tolerance to experience the thoughts and associated emotions rather than avoiding them. Do your homework or leave it to the experts next time, giving your readers the accurate, objective information we deserve.

Chris Sorrentino, LtCol, USAF (Ret)
aka CombatCounselor
Executive Director, Help4VetsPTSD
Kansas City, MO

Tuition Assistance (TA) Suspension Versus Military Suicides...Let's Get Our Priorities Straight!

by
C.T. Sorrentino, LtCol, USAF (Ret)
aka CombatCounselor
Air Force Tuition Assistance (TA) suspension is a TEMPORARY SOLUTION to a short-term problem ... SUICIDE is a PERMANENT SOLUTION to a temporary problem.  TA is a very popular program, recruiting and retention tool, and valuable entitlement to our military men and women.
With sequestration comes program cuts, usually "soft" programs like TA over weapon system programs like to beleaguered F-35 program. So the temporary "suspension" of TA has troops up in arms and rightfully so. The White House Petition asking the president to save the TA program has garnered over 80,000 of the 100,000 required signatures to force Obama to address the issue. I started a White House Petition several months back when the criteria for presidential action was just 10,000 signatures and few petitions came close to that mark, so 80,000+ signatures is quite a milestone...congratulations!
My previous petition was similar to the one I recently started and even though tens of thousands saw my pleas for action, we received only 71 of the required 150 signatures to even get the petition viewable on the website, and WAY SHORT of the 10,000 signature requirement. What does that tell you about the priorities of our citizens? 71 signatures out of 25,000+ possible ... NOT A VERY GOOD CONVERSION RATE.
More men and women in uniform COMMITTED SUICIDE last year than were KILLED IN COMBAT! 6,900+ Military and Veterans die by their own hand each year and the negative stigmas against anxiety, depression, PTSD, and mental health treatment in the military are the cause.
We (military men and women and Veterans) learn NOT TO ASK FOR HELP for these very real and debilitating psychological problems because we fear being ostracized by superiors and peers, losing our security clearances, and/or possibly losing our careers.  Until military men and women are GIVEN CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT and the IGNORANCE OF OUR LEADERS are addressed, our heroes will continue to take their own lives!
Please read my articles on these stigmas, one of which (THE STIGMA KILLING AMERICAN HEROES) was recently published in De Oppresso Liber magazine. There is also a recent post on our WHITE HOUSE PETITION, asking President Obama to address this extremely important issue and allow our troops to receive CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT, thereby reducing the stigmas, I have discussed very briefly here, over time.
Please sign our WHITE HOUSE PETITION and read more about the issue elsewhere in this blog: http://www.CombatCounselor.blogspot.com
Tuition Assistance WILL RETURN ... LAST YEAR'S 7,000 DEAD HEROES WILL NOT!  Be selfless, THINK ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE FOR A CHANGE, PUTTING ANY SELFISH CONCERNS TO THE SIDE FOR NOW.
If our military men and women put as much effort into saving 7,000 lives each year as they do trying  save an ENTITLEMENT that will only benefit them personally, our petition would succeed in record time. It is time to start thinking about someone other than yourselves, character traits like "empathy" (being able to put yourself in sometime else's shoes, feeling their pain, etc) and "selflessness", which is one of the Air Force Core Values by the way, and put your effort into more critical activities.  It is time to be selfless and end these absurd yet deadly stigmas, empathizing with those afflicted by painful memories and emotions instead of ensuring that YOU have that AA Degree by the time you jump ship for the private sector.
BLESS YOU ALL AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOYAL SERVICE!
Key Words: PTSD,suicide,military,stigma,stigmas,troops,co confidentiality,confidential,mental,health,treatment,ignorance,career,security,clearance,CombatCounselor

Help end military suicides and the negative stigmas surrounding PTSD and mental health treatment in the military

More of our men and women in uniform die by their own hand than are killed in combat! Nineteen (19) military/veterans commit suicide each day and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a factor in many of those deaths. Miltary men and women DO NOT HAVE THE CONFIDENTIALITY available in the private sector when seeking treatment for their problems (e.g. PTSD, depression, anxiety), causing negative PTSD and mental health treatment stigmas. Because troops fear losing their career or security clearance, they REFUSE TO SEEK TREATMENT, many killing themselves instead. END THE STIGMAS NOW, today, by giving confidentiality to our military, before one more hero dies by his or her own hand! 

Read more in The CombatCounselor Chronicle:  http://combatcounselor.blogspot.com/2012/12/article-stigmas-killing-american-heroes.html




To put things in perpective and give you an idea of how lost our citizens are, how apathetic Americans have become, how ignorant some can be, read this:

Movie studio Warner Brothers Pictures +WBPictures ID has generated nearly $4,000,000 in donations from thousands of Veronica Lake fans through Kickstarter to fund a movie based on the popular series.  "The Veronica Mars Movie Project", launched on March 13, 2013, has attracted 59,209 contributors in less than 2 weeks and has generated $3,855,258 in funds FOR WARNER BROTHERS STUDIOS!

March 25th, 2013 

What does this say about our priorities as a nation, our values (or lack thereof), when over 59,000 people donate their hard earned money and valuable time, to visit the Kickstarter website and donate $4 million, that is $4,000,000, to a movie studio just so they can see a stupid TV show on the big screen ... give me a break!  

In the time it took for Warner Brothers to generate $4 million from 59,000 Veronica Mars fans to fund a movie, over 275 military and Veterans have committed suicide. Would you not think that signing a petition to end suicide in the military would garner more support than a movie?  We are not even asking for money, just a signature to bring this tragic cause to the attention of our president, a man not well known for his concern for our military or Veterans. 

Unfortunately, our recent White House Petition came 99,937 signatories short of the 100,000 required to get presidential visibility, but WE WILL NOT GIVE UP! Stay tuned for more updates, more activism, AND MORE PETITIONS! 

Bless all of you who signed and campaigned so hard for our cause ... ESPECIALLY YOU HUNTER! 

StayTheCourse!

PETITION TO PRESIDENT OBAMA - END THE NEGATIVE STIGMAS AGAINST PTSD AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT IN THE MILITARY BEFORE ONE MORE HERO COMMITS SUICIDE!

PETITION TO PRESIDENT OBAMA - END THE NEGATIVE STIGMAS AGAINST PTSD AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT IN THE MILITARY BEFORE ONE MORE HERO COMMITS SUICIDE!

You can read my recent article on this issue elsewhere in The CombatCounselor Chronicle if you require additional information:

http://combatcounselor.blogspot.com/2012/12/article-stigmas-killing-american-heroes.html

PLEASE SIGN MY PETITION TO THE PRESIDENT! We need 150 signatures JUST TO GET THE PETITION SEEN ON THE WHITE HOUSE WEBSITE and 25,000 signatures before January 10th, 2013 ... THAT'S ONLY 30 DAYS ... in order for President Obama to take action.

PLEASE CLICK THE LINK AND CREATE AN ACCOUNT (It's easy - only email address, first and last name), then return to The White House site and SIGN THIS PETITION!

Petition:

"On average, 1 military member and 18 Veterans commit suicide each day and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant factor in many of those deaths. The negative stigma surrounding PTSD and military mental health treatment exist because military members are hesitant to seek treatment from military practitioners, fearing the loss of their career and/or security clearance. We need leaders who are willing to give our men and women in uniform the confidentiality they need when seeking treatment for their problems, be it PTSD, depression, anxiety, or other disorder. We need leaders who are going to do the right thing and end the negative stigmas against PTSD and seeking mental health treatment in the military now, today, before one more American hero dies by his or her own hand!"

PLEASE SEND TO EVERY VETERAN, MILITARY MEMBER, AND AMERICAN PATRIOT YOU KNOW ... 25,000 SIGNATURES IN 30 DAYS ... LET'S DO IT!

Please click on this link and SIGN THE PETITION NOW!

White House Petition - End The Stigmas!

IS GETTING HELP A CAREER KILLER?...IT IS NOW!

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
AIR FORCE TIMES
OCTOBER 5TH, 2012

I have written to Air Force Times on numerous occasions and feel like I am wasting my time, so this will likely be my last contact. My primary concerns have related to military and Veteran mental health issues and the stigmas associated with seeking and receiving treatment as well as what a PTSD diagnosis can do to a military career.

I am a retired lieutenant colonel, veteran of four combat operations, disabled veteran, and licensed professional counselor (since 1991), specializing in the treatment of anxiety (e.g. PTSD) and depression with active duty and Vets. I am also executive director of the non-profit Help4VetsPTSD, Inc., a relatively young organization dedicated to helping active duty and Veterans with PTSD. I also consult with a DoD contractor providing short-term, solution-focused counseling to active duty military, Guard and Reserve personnel, and their families.

I have experienced the stigma firsthand, both while on active duty and as a clinician, before and after retirement. I thought your publication was on the right track in helping to eliminate the stigmas, until I read "IS GETTING HELP A CAREER KILLER?" (Kristin Davis) in your October 8, 2012 issue.

In a little more than one page, you managed to hinder any progress we have made in recent years and highlighted WHY AIRMEN (AND OTHERS) NEED TO BE AFRAID, VERY AFRAID, OF SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, OR WORSE, TALKING ABOUT IT! I find it hard to believe that anybody with any common sense reviewed or edited that piece before publication. If there was not a negative stigma before...THERE IS SURE TO BE ONE NOW! What were you people thinking?

I am appaled by the lack of judgement in publishing such a piece and believe the reasons for NOT PUBLISHING THE ARTICLE in question are too numerous and obvious to mention.

For those who do not have the opportunity to read it, Ms. Davis reported on an Air Force NCO (non-commisioned officer) who sought help and educated other airmen, telling them about his battle with alcohol (which he is currently winning by the way) and other mental health issues. His supervisor, an obvious Neanderthal and ignorant moron, killed this gentleman's career by making statements about his alcoholism ON HIS ENLISTED PERFORMANCE REPORT (EPR) and marking him down, both career ending behaviors. The NCO in question, a master sergeant (E-7), appealed his "referral" EPR to his superiors and the Inspector General, and was turned away!

Everyone in the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marines have heard plenty of horror stories like this one and now they have one more...a page and a half's worth in Air Force Times!

We do not need to hear more horror stories while 19 military and Veterans each day commit suicide...that is correct...19 each day! As long as these stigmas are perpetuated in the media, young heroes, our military and veteran men and women, will continue to die. For the first time in recorded history, MORE PEOPLE ARE DYING OF SUICIDE IN THE MILITARY THAN ARE DYING IN COMBAT!

The space taken up by that garbage could have been better utilized by providing accurate information about the stigma(s), what the implications of the stigma(s) are (e.g. suicides), and proposals on what we can do about it. We need a positive discussion started in this country, educating the public, our elected officials, and military leaders, about the problems in military and veteran mental health treatment and figure out a way to fix them...SOON!

Air Force/Military Times has at least one "supposed" expert on staff, Bret Moore (Kevlar for the Mind), who should have, at least, reviewed the article before publication. Hopefully, he would have recommended squashing the story before it went to print, but based on some of his work, I am not confident that would have happened either.

On a similar note, Robert Dorr's (a long time writer for Air Force Times who gets about one-third of a page EVERY week - Why? I don't know) comments last week on the American-Indian gentleman being "wrong" in his perception, that some nose art depicting Native-Americans in the Air Force is offensive, is ludicrous and insensitive. A perception cannot be wrong and the young man has a right to stand up for his heritage and beliefs! What is wrong is printing garbage like that Mr. Dorr regularly spews onto the page, like black and white vomit, and the Davis article in question this week on career killing...WRONG Air Force Times...shame on you Ms. Ianotta! Becky Ianotta is Managing Editor, Air Force Times.

CombatCounselor...OUT!