Reduce Defense Spending ... Are You Serious?

According to Money Magazine (October 2012, p. 85), 68% of those polled (Republicans AND Democrats) think the United States should cut defense (military) spending. Military Times has reported on numerous occasions that the Department of Defense (DoD), Congress, and President Obama all want to cut personnel and retiree benefits, that is a fact. What are these geniuses thinking? What is 68% of the population, supposedly, thinking? You got me friends!

We have been at war with Al Qaeda, and others, for 13 years and our military, if not dead already, are worn out, exhausted, and not really appreciated, even though "thank you for your service" has become the "catch" phrase since 9/11. Our heroes in uniform, past, present, and future, put their families, health, and lives on the line every day ... for your freedom folks.

So now that Osama Bin Laden is dead, we are out of Iraq (for the time being, in mass anyway), and things are winding down in Afghanistan, we have nothing to worry about ... right? Military retention rates are at all time highs thanks to patriotism and a weak economy, so why not cut their (active duty, Guard, Reserves, and retiree) pay and benefits or, better yet, drum them out of the service altogether so we can save a few bucks? Forget those promises we (the government, recruiters) made about job security, lifetime healthcare, pensions, and other "retention" tools ... the threat is gone, over, history, so why not cut defense spending (that is shorthand for personnel and benefits? Do you really think the military (DoD) is going to give up any planes, tanks, ships, or helicopters?

I don't know about you, but I have a couple problems with that kind of thinking:

First, we, as a nation, made promises to our men and women in uniform and cannot change course now. That is immoral! Can you say integrity? Apparently not. Politicians and others can "talk the talk", but when it comes to keeping promises made to recruits, they DO NOT "walk the walk"! KEEP the promises you made (integrity) to those serving and those who have served. If you want to make changes, make them effective BEFORE future enlistees enlist, not after we obligated to and/or faithfully served our country.

Second, the president, Congress, and DoD ARE NOT focusing on fighting a few terrorists here and there, they are focusing on two very real, very large, very lethal threats ... CHINA (and their redheaded stepchild North Korea), IRAN, and Russia (again) thanks to their nutjob president, Vladimir Putin.

China is a military and nuclear superpower with BILLIONS of potential troops and Iran is on the verge of becoming a nuclear threat (beside having one of the most potent militaries in the Middle East), and is threatening one of the most unstable and economically critical regions in the world today ... ON A DAILY BASIS! Can you say OIL? How about nuclear holocaust? Israel? Are you people out if your freakin' minds?

So why not cut porkbarrel spending, pet projects, a bloated government full of useless programs and lazy workers (that is a generalization, there are many worthwhile programs and civil servants), or even cushy pensions for serving in Congress for a couple of years? Or why does the government not target the BILLION$ that goes down the drain every year due to FRAUD, WASTE? Because they do not care, memories are very short, and if there is not an immediate threat, citizens are selfish and want all the money to come to their way. That is human nature and means the politicians need to keep those voters happy so they can be reelected and receive those cushy pensions ... right?

In conclusion, our shortsighted predecessors cut defense spending after World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, and even Gulf War I, but guess what? That's right, we got caught with our pants down when the next conflict came along. Do you have any idea how much we waste as a nation drawing down and building up our military as a reaction to world events , or worse, elections? BILLIONS ... JUST LIKE THOSE BILLIONS OF CHINESE just a stones throw from the United States of America ... can you say Alaska (Sarah Palin can see Russia from her house after all)? What about Hawaii? There is a place in Hawaii called Pearl Harbor ... have you heard of it?

China recently launched their first aircraft carrier and their defense budget has been increasing by at least 12% annually for decades. Who do you think they are preparing for? Al Qaeda? North Korea? No, they are preparing to take on the largest superpower in the world ... U.S. ... and we are going to be caught with our pants down once again. Why? For a few more votes ... for a few more self-centered, shortsighted, ignorant morons ... that's right, we call them POLITICIANS (lawyers mostly and we all know what Shakespeare said about lawyers).

DO NOT FORGET TO VOTE! I am not going to tell you WHOM to vote for, but vote with your conscience, and, ABOVE ALL, vote for a strong military and hold your elected officials accountable for protecting the FREEDOM we in the military have worked so hard TO EARN and DEFEND. Vote for president in 2016 or you might just be voting for a Chinese Premier in 2020.

That's the end of that tune ... CombatCounselor...OUT!

Chris Sorrentino, LtCol, USAF (Ret)

aka CombatCounselor

This article can be published in its entirety with the permission of C.T. Sorrentino, aka CombatCounselor, 3rd Wave Media Group, and 3rd Wave Publications

Key Words: benefits, budget, China, cuts, defense, election, government, Iran, Korea, military, Obama, pension, personnel, politics, spending, Vietnam, voters, war, Osama bin Laden, 

Copyright 2012-2014 - 3rd Wave Publications - All Rights Reserved

Tired of self-centered people?

Are you as sick and tired of self-centered people as I am? 
Learn why they act that way...read my explanation below and WATCH THE NEW 
CombatCounselor Q&A
Episode 7: Values
Sundays at 11AM (CST) ... or thereabouts..
ON THE 
COMBATCOUNSELOR CHANNEL

In this episode of CombatCounselor Q&A, Chris discusses "values" or the lack thereof in society, American and around the world, today. Individuals, institutions, and nation states are in disarray, 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 to survive.
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!

People who lack clear values have only one way to ACT when confronted with a crisis or novel situation...EMOTIONALLY...SELFISHLY because that is the way we, humans, are programmed. Think about it, life, since the beginning of time, has been about self-preservation, survival, so can we blame them?
Yes and no. We cannot blame them because, MOST OF THE TIME, it is a reaction, not a well thought out act or action. On The other hand, we can blame them for either not defining or not understanding their values and how their behavior impacts others. Believe it it not, it is a choice in many more ways than one.
Here is the link to this video: http://t.co/q87KaPvh
StayTheCourse
C.T. Sorrentino, LtCol, USAF (Ret)
aka CombatCounselor

Letter to the Editor: Double Standards, Waste, and Favoritism

General Rice - AETC, Commander - August 18th, 2012

Your September 10th, 2012 issue of Air Force Times had several letters posted condemning the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs for applying a double standard to retired officers publicly supporting political candidates while well-known flag officers (Colin Powell and Wes Clark among them) blatantly do the same exact thing on a much grander scale. I agree with many of the writers and am not surprised by the double standard imposed by the chief because flag officers are routinely held to a different, far more lenient standard than their lower ranking subordinates. Now that is leadership...leadership by example...isn't it?

I am also appalled by another piece describing AMC's "contract" with a Carolina pro hockey team. AMC and the writer apparently believe it is OK to throw hundreds of thousands of dollars at one sports team while ignoring dozens of others in several different sports. Why did AMC, whose headquarters is in Illinois, think they needed to support a team, under the guise of "public relations", in another state, spending unreported sums on "an 18-person luxury box" among other things?

Besides showing favoritism in contracting (was the contract open to bids from all other teams or was it SOLE SOURCE?), WASTE clearly and quickly comes to mind when DoD and the Air Force are cutting people and benefits rather than tightening the belt on such extravagant items as LUXURY SUITES!

Finally, on a similar note, the photo of General Edward Rice throwing out the first pitch at an August 18th Yankees game (September 17th, 2012 issue) also seems inappropriate on more than one level. I understand that the Air Force has to reach out to the public in terms of positive public relations, but why the Yankees when Rice's closest MLB franchise would be the Houston Astros or Texas Rangers, NOT THE YANKEES! Rice is commander of AETC which, last time I checked, is located on Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, TEXAS. The Yankees were not even playing a Texas team for crying out loud...they were playing the Boston Red Sox!

Two questions: 1) Why was Rice in New York and what genius thought it would be a good idea to show support for a team whose closest Air Force base is in New Jersey?; and 2) Why is Rice out of uniform, wearing a NY Yankees hat with his "blues"? If Rice saw another airman in uniform at the game wearing a Yankees hat (or any team for that matter), that airman would surely get a good old fashioned butt-chewing AT THE VERY LEAST.

So why the double standards? Why the waste when good, hard working, patriotic airmen are being drummed out in thousands while major commands and generals live the high life? I have not even mentioned Leon Panetta's $800K+ bill for government plane rides home every weekend, but that is a different story...or is it?

Chris Sorrentino, LtCol, USAF (Ret)
CombatCounselor

Copyright 2012 - C.T. Sorrentino and CombatCounselor - All Rights Reserved

You can read this letter in The CombatCounselor Chronicle http://www.CombatCounselor.blogspot.com

Follow me on Twitter @CombatCounselor

Or SUBSCRIBE to The CombatCounselor Channel 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: AIR FORCE TIMES -"FEWER MOVES, LONGER TOURS...PLEASE!"

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: AIR FORCE TIMES -"FEWER MOVES, LONGER TOURS...PLEASE!"

It's about time somebody used some common sense! In your article, "FEWER MOVES, LONGER TOURS" - August 20,2012 - a much more common sense approach to deficits and budget woes is FINALLY discussed.Why cut personnel and benefits when there is such a simple solution? There are many thousands of airmen, soldiers, sailors, and Marines forced to move  each year, thousands that would happily stay in place another year or four.

Why not Minot you say? Minot and other perceived "less desirable" assignments are LOVED by many, so why not let folks stay where they are rather than uprooting a family clear across the country or globe? Some simple mathematics and computer programming could select from a pool of volunteers, leaving everybody else where they are for the time being.Ruin a career you say? Maybe it's time to change ignorant, archaic thinking (or even better...the thinkers) and NOT penalize those who want to remain on-station, saving taxpayers thousands in moving expenses, dislocation allowances, and travel costs...thousands for each person!

By the way, those are the same "thinkers" contributing to the negative stigma of military mental health, a stigma taking lives...one military member a day lost to suicide...but that's another story.

Chris Sorrentino, LtCol, USAF (Ret) CombatCounselor

Twitter @CombatCounselor

http://www.CombatCounselor.blogspot.com

http://www.KCCBT.com/combatcounselor.html

http://www.YouTube.com/combatcounselor

ExtrAversion? Clients of the Future? What About the Negative Military Mental Health Stigma?

Kaja Perina, Editor
Psychology Today Magazine
115 E. 23rd St., 9th Floor
New York, NY 10010

Dear Ms. Perina,

I have read your magazine for years and wish many more people would read it, eliminating many of the myths, fallacies, and stigmas surrounding mental health treatment. Thank YOU.

I would like to point out a couple things in regard to your Sep/Oct 2012 issue. On page 14, you used the term "extraversion". While not completely incorrect, the more widely used and accepted version is "extrOversion". Maybe I am missing something, so please let me know if that was intentional for some reason.  

I would also like to address Dr. Markman's blog post (Ulterior Motives) where he predicts clinician/s will "tailor learning strategies and behavior change techniques TO INDIVIDUALS" in the future. I am afraid Dr. Markman is a little behind the power curve (and times) if he is not already applying those tools in therapy. We have been providing individualized, tailored learning strategies and behavior change techniques for years, so I am not sure what the good doctors point may have been.  

Finally, please publish a piece on the negative stigma attributed to mental health treatment in the military. 19 heroes die every day to suicide because if it. Maybe we can save a few lives by addressing the stigma now rather than later.

Thank YOU for your time and consideration.

Chris Sorrentino, LtCol, USAF (Ret)
a.k.a CombatCounselor 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: AIR FORCE TIMES - "FEWER MOVES, LONGER TOURS...PLEASE!"

Let's face it, moving to a new assignment every two to four years not only takes a toll on the defense budget and, ultimately, the national deficit, it affects individuals and families stressed by leaving home and friends, and jobs as well as many emotional scars. Moving is stressful! I know, having moved eight times in a 20-year career, relatively few compared to many of my comrades-in-arms.

It's about time somebody used some common sense! In the Air Force Times article, "FEWER MOVES, LONGER TOURS" - August 20,2012 - a much more common sense approach to deficits and budget woes was FINALLY discussed.

Why cut personnel and benefits when there is such a simple solution? There are many thousands of airmen, soldiers, sailors, and Marines forced to move each year, thousands that would happily stay in place another year...or four.

Why not Minot you say? Minot and other perceived "less desirable" assignments are LOVED by many, so why not let folks stay where they are rather than uprooting a family clear across the country or globe? Some simple mathematics and computer programming could select from a pool of volunteers, leaving everybody else where they are for the time being.

Ruin a career you say? Maybe it's time to change ignorant, archaic thinking (or even better...the thinkers) and NOT penalize those who want to remain on-station, saving taxpayers thousands in moving expenses, dislocation allowances, and travel costs...thousands for each person!

By the way, those are the same "thinkers" contributing to the negative stigma of military mental health, a stigma taking lives...one military member a day lost to suicide...but that's another story.

Sincerely,

Chris Sorrentino, LtCol, USAF (Ret)

CombatCounselor

Twitter @CombatCounselor

http://www.CombatCounselor.blogspot.com

http://www.KCCBT.com/combatcounselor.html

http://www.YouTube.com/combatcounselor

Help4VetsPTSD Unfunded...Again

August 23rd, 2012 - Kansas City, MO: Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Chris Sorrentino, President and Executive Director of Help4VetsPTSD, made an announcement at Help4VetsPTSD's semi-annual board meeting last night, commenting on the disappointment he felt upon hearing the bad news about another grant lost: "We have a great organization that is just starting out and in desperate need of funding. Our mission, to help military and veterans (and their families) with PTSD, is critical and can actually SAVE LIVES! I do not understand how 'quality of life' programs can be funded over such a noble cause as ours, a program that CAN SAVE LIVES!".

On average, one military member and 18 veterans commit suicide EACH AND EVERY DAY, and PTSD is a significant factor in many. Sorrentino added: "Every day we go unfunded, another 19 lives are lost and that is absolutely appalling! The military and VA cannot keep up with demand and there are a shortage of trained, qualified therapists in the private sector. Help4VetsPTSD can help alleviate some of the suffering and many senseless suicides committed by over 6,900 of our military and veterans EVERY year...senseless!"

We as a nation waste billions on political campaigns, needless spending, and luxuries each year while many of our nation's heroes go jobless, homeless, with no mental health treatment, and ALMOST 7,000 of them choose to end their lives...7,000 MILITARY AND VETERANS COMMIT SUICIDE EVERY YEAR!

Stop the insanity! Help end the negative mental health stigma in the military and among veterans, leading directly or indirectly to joblessness, homelessness, and suicide.

PLEASE DONATE TO Help4VetsPTSD TODAY...EVERY DAY YOU WAIT, 20 HEROES DIE!

Visit http://www.Help4VetsPTSD.org for details.

You can follow them on Twitter @Help4VetsPTSD or "LIKE" their Facebook page


Help4VetsPTSD is a 501(c)(3) non-profit (pending) and donations are tax deductible.

Help4VetsPTSD Not Selected for Newman's Own Grant for Second year in a Row

August 10th, 2012 - Kansas City, Missouri: Vicki Reeping of Newman's Own and Fisher House Foundation announced that Help4VetsPTSD was unsuccessful for the second year in a row, not being selected for a grant they so desperately need.

Ms. Reeping stated: "We received 164 eligible programs this year, displaying a broad range of ideas to improve the quality of life for service members, Veterans, and their families. The judges had a difficult time narrowing it down, but have made their selections. The 6 programs recognized in 2012 will be posted on the Fisher House website on September 20, 2012....We wish you all success in your current efforts to support our Nation's heroes.

According to their website, Newman's Own Grant winners are chosen based on" potential impact on their respective communities, creativity, and innovation" and ability to "improve the quality of life for service members, Veterans, and their families." Six "civilian" judges, four female and two male, made the final decisions, decisions reflected in the charities chosen for the grants: 

Two Great New Apps for Clients...and Therapists

For those with psychological "issues", there are a couple of great new apps out there for troops (and civilians) to use . LifeArmor and PE Coach (prolonged exposure) are available for Android and iPhones and each has a place in a therapeutic context.

LifeArmor is for more general issues, offering a lot if great information and tools for A VARIETY of problems, including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, stress and much more. It is easy to use and interactive, making psychoeducation portable, easy, and fun!

PE Coach is much more specific, focusing on prolonged exposure (hence the PE), the "empirically supported treatment" (EST - that's short for "supported by lots of research") for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) developed by Foa, et al. PE Coach helps therapists and clients develop SUDS anchors, exposure hierarchies, homework assignments and even has an appointment tool and session recording/review option! This is a tool any therapist providing the EST of choice, PE, for PTSD should utilize! It's so simple and useful, I'm surprised nobody thought of it sooner.

Both apps are useful for INFORMATION PURPOSES, but are designed to augment, be used in conjunction with, therapy, conducted by A COMPETENT, LICENSED CLINICIAN.

LifeArmor and PE Coach are both available FOR FREE at Google's PlayStore, for those with Android phones. If you have an iPhone...you paid too much (and know where to go - I don't!).

c2

Social Dystrophy™: Are Technology or Values to Blame?

Would "Social Dystrophy" be an appropriate term for the lack of social skills endemic in today's population? I came up with the term “social dystrophy” while exercising at the YMCA last week, having experienced more then the usual number of rude and obnoxious people that day. I cannot take credit for coining it because somebody already created a website, http://nyrixxblog.socialdystrophy.com, having apparently had similar experiences with humans.

According to Dictionary.com, “dystrophy” can be defined as “faulty or inadequate development” faulty or inadequate nutrition or development”. Dystrophy would then imply that there were some social skills in the first place, which may not necessarily be the case and may eliminate the term as an appropriate label for what we are experiencing. I may be generalizing, and I know there are many pitfalls in that and there are many socially adept people out there, young and old, but the problem seems to be getting worse and worse with the advent of new communication technologies (being invented almost daily). Let me elaborate and provide some poignant examples as well as potential solutions.

I was at the market the other day looking for my rewards card before placing my items on the conveyor (there was no line when I arrived and few customers in sight). Before I had a chance to hand my card to the cashier, some middle aged guy rushes up and starts putting his shopping items on the conveyor. As they whizzed past me on their way to the cashier, I looked back and politely asked "would it be OK if I continued to put my items on the conveyor and finish checkout?" while the cashier looked on in dismay. The man, who was accompanied by his teenage son, glared at me defiantly and stated "I didn't turn the conveyor on!" Really? Is that an answer or any kind of excuse for being rude and in such a hurry that you cannot wait until I complete a simple task? Dumbfounded by his ridiculous answer, I politely asked if he would remove his things so I could continue with my shopping, but his reply cannot can be repeated here, cursing and insisting that I was being rude simply because I wanted to continue my shopping without having to move his out of the way. Let me just say that the situation deteriorated from there with the man using profanity and insulting my character…what an excellent role model for his teenage son!

Then there are the people at the gym who turn the fans around the cardiovascular equipment on without bothering to ask the people who have been there for some time, and do not like the fan blowing on us, if we would mind if they “turned the fan on”. How difficult would it be to say, “excuse me, can I turn this on? Too difficult, obviously, for a social misfit who does not care about anybody but him or herself or does not have the social skills or training to communicate with other humans.

Still at the gym, there are the people, usually young, who barge past us in the locker room on their way to a locker they just cannot live without. Many times there are areas of the locker room totally empty and available, but they NEED THAT locker, cannot wait a few minutes until we are done, or do not have the skills or inclination to say "excuse me". Is that really so difficult?

Then there is the guy in his BMW that lays on his horn when I have the nerve to continue in the lane that I was traveling in after leaving a stop light. If he had not been too busy talking on his cellphone, he would have been cognizant of which lane was his and where he should have been driving. Instead, he thinks I am the moron when in fact he should have been ticketed for an illegal lane change, aggressive driving, and disturbing the peace.

I could go on and on and experience numerous instances like those above DAILY! Really? Daily? Yes, DAILY! Well, why is this happening daily and why does it seem to be getting worse as time goes on? In this reporter’s opinion, technology and a lack of clear core values are at the root of the problem.

Technology has grown so quickly and become so engrained in our culture, our lives, that we “think” we cannot live without it. How many times have you seen a car swerving all over the road, only to catch up to the driver and find them chatting or texting on their cellphone? If you live in any metropolitan area, or anywhere else for that matter, you see it all the time. Everywhere you go people young and old are talking on the phone or texting their friends about some inane subject, completely oblivious to what is happening around them or considering what affect their behavior may have on others. They simply do not care! It has gotten to such an extreme that people are texting the person standing next to them or in the same room! C’mon folks, is it really that demanding or difficult to look someone in the eye, open your mouth, and emit the words it takes so long to “thumb” on your smartphone (a misnomer).

The ability of humans to communicate is slowly deteriorating because of technology. Whether it is cellphones or computers, the internet or email, laptops or iPads – you name it – technology has made us (yes, I am not immune) not only more productive, but lazy! Before cellphones, computers, and the internet became commonplace, which was not all that long ago, people waited until they returned home to call a friend or even write a letter which may have taken several days to arrive once posted, and everybody seemed to be a lot happier, a lot less stressed than we are today. If technology and human behavior continue at this pace, the ability to communicate verbally, face to face, making eye contact and the whole shebang, is going to become a thing of the past. It is quickly becoming clear, particularly in the younger generations who have grown up with these technologies, that human communication is deteriorating rapidly and we should all be very concerned about that dilemma.

Finally, I believe it is a loss of focus on or undefined core values that can account for much of the self-centered behavior we see daily. The world in general and our country specifically, politically, corporately and personally, has lost touch with what is important to us – our values. I see it day in and day out in my practice, when I ask a client to tell me what they value, they look at me like I have a penis growing out of my forehead. “My values? What do you mean exactly?” When I explain what values are, they routinely come up with “my family” or “my job”, still not quite grasping the concept.

Values, according to Encarta Dictionary, are “the accepted principles or standards of a person or group”. They define what we are about and, if clear and well defined, help us act in a moral, ethical, or legal way when presented with novel or familiar situations. That sounds pretty important! But few people can tell me what their values are and that is pretty scary. It is no wonder that people are running around thinking of little but themselves when they have no moral, ethical, or legal map to help get where they are going. That is why the world and our nation are in crisis, financial and otherwise, at this moment and it is also why people do not care about anybody but themselves.

Put down the phone, clarify your values (what is important to you), look people in the eye when you speak to them, treat people with dignity and respect, and act on your values...even if you are having a bad day, or are anxious or depressed...be selfless, not selfish and the world will be a better place to live.

More on values in a future post…

Key Words: social, dystrophy, values, value, core, inept, incompetent, CombatCounselor, combat, counselor, psychology, therapy, CBT, ignorant, ignorance, SocialDystrophy, technology, phone, text

Letter to The Greatest All-Time Golfer and Man - Jack Nicklaus - Honor, Integrity, Sportsmanship, Legend

Dear Jack,

I am 55 year old, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, and combat-disabled veteran. 

I followed you for many years on the West Coast swing (LA and San Diego Open, Tournament of Champions, etc) in the late 70s and early 80s. Because "Mr. Nicklaus" was so accessible, friendly, and warm, you became known to me simply as "Jack". Please excuse my familiarity and casual tone, but after having spent decades of weekends together, on the course or on TV, you are like family.

You were always personable, treating me like an equal as you made your way to your next shot, sometimes smiling and other times chatting, even when the stakes were high and pressure from Trevino, Crenshaw, Kite, Watson and others intense.

Because of who you are as a man and legend, I took the liberty of naming my second son after you, Nicklaus A. Sorrentino, who will turn 25 on July 1st. I may be just a bit biased and believe both my boys have embraced the honor, integrity, and strength of character, which you possess and I have tried to emulate, on and off the golf course.

Others, who do not deserve to be mentioned in the same paragraph as you, may surpasses your feats on the golf course, but none will be known as the Greatest Golfer of All Time because YOU, Jack, have earned that title as a result of your outstanding golf acumen and victories, and your indisputable and immaculate character, which all golfers and non-golfers would do well to emulate.

These days, I occupy my time counseling military and veterans coming back from combat with PTSD as well as starting a non-profit called Help4VetsPTSD, Inc., an outreach, education, research, transition and residential treatment program for military, Veterans, and their families affected by PTSD.

Thank you for taking the time to read my note. I hope that I may have the opportunity to meet you again in the future and wish you and your family the very best in life.

Respectfully,

Chris Sorrentino, LtCol, USAF (Ret)

CombatCounselor

Visit:
http://www.CombatCounselor.com and http://www.Help4VetsPTSD.org

Follow on:
Twitter: @CombatCounselor and @Help4VetsPTSD
YouTube and Blogger: CombatCounselor and Help4VetsPTSD

Checklist for Hiring a True Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT)

As executive director of Kansas City Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (KCCBT) and an expert in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), I receive many calls from people looking specifically for a therapist specializing in CBT. Because I rarely have any openings, I make a lot of referrals. Unfortunately, there ARE FEW TRUE COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPISTS, at least in my area.

When I say "TRUE COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPIST", I mean somebody who is an expert in CBT (which requires advanced knowledge of learning theory; e.g. classical and operant conditioning, relational frame theory, etc.) and practices using "primarily" cognitive and/or behavioral techniques. Easier said than done!

Many therapists call themselves "COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL" even though they may know little, if anything, about CBT. Why? Because most therapists (licensed professional counselors, clinical social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists) depend on health insurance as reimbursement for their services AND insurance companies ONLY reimburse for empirically supported treatments (EST), with CBT being the primary (sometimes only) EST for the vast majority of anxiety and mood disorders (which make up the vast majority of disorders being treated).

Many of my clinical colleagues will probably not be happy with what I'm telling you and to them, as the character Gilly on Saturday Night Live would say: "uh huh"..."sorry!". We ALL owe it to our clients to be honest and provide the MOST EFFECTIVE TREATMENT available for our client's particular condition, which in many cases means CBT (the most researched and scientifically proven treatments available for many, not all, conditions).

When looking for a cognitive behavioral therapist, I suggest doing an advanced search on Psychology Today's Therapist Finder, screening for therapists in your zip code specializing in CBT for YOUR CONDITION. Once you have narrowed the list, start calling them and ask the following questions:

1. Are you a cognitive behavioral therapist and, if so, what technique(s) do you use for people with my kind of problem?

Answer: Yes. Answers could include exposure, exposure and response prevention (OCD), prolonged exposure (PTSD), activity scheduling (depression), cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation or rehearsal, and contingency management among others. Exposure, in vivo, imaginal, and prolonged, just to name a few is the treatment of choice for most anxiety-based disorders (e.g. generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, PTSD, agoraphobia, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, simple phobias)

2. Which CBT therapy do you adhere to and who is the person (theorist) influencing your practice the most?

Answers: Cognitive Therapy (Primary Theorists: Beck, Ellis); Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Stress Inoculation Training (Primary Theorists: Meichenbaum); Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - ACT (Primary Theorists: Hayes, Strosahl, Blackledge); Dialectical Behavior Therapy - DBT (Primary Theorists: Linehan); Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy - MBCT (Primary Theorists: Williams, Teasdale, and Segal); Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction - MBSR (Kabat-Zinn)

3. Estimate the percentage of techniques you use in therapy that are STRICTLY cognitive behavioral.

Answer: AT LEAST 60 - 70% is acceptable, preferably more.

4. Can you tell me the difference between positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment?

Answer: Positive reinforcement involves increasing the likelihood of a behavior occurring in the future by rewarding the organism immediately following the desired behavior. Negative reinforcement involves increasing the likelihood of a behavior occurring in the future by removing an aversive stimulus immediately following the desired behavior. Punishment involves introducing an aversive stimulus immediately following a behavior you are trying to eliminate and may work for a short time, but research indicates that it is ineffective in the long-term for changing behavior.

If they cannot answer this question, they know little if anything about the most important aspects of CBT and should probably be eliminated).

5. Do you offer FREE initial consultations (preferably in person, over the phone by exception)?

Answer: Yes. In-office consultations are preferred. If a therapist wants to charge you, keep looking unless they are obviously VERY SKILLED in CBT and you have no alternatives.

6. Are you licensed in your state (LPC, LCSW, licensed psychologist/psychiatrist, etc) AND certified (by whom)? What is your license/certification number?

Answer: Yes. Not all licensed therapists are also certified by a recognized national certifying body (requires passing a national exam and paying annual dues), but those who are indicates additional credibility and professionalism. Ask for the certifying body and certification number, then look up the licensing and certifying organizations on the internet and check to see if they actually exist, are current, and free of complaints or violations.

Unfortunately, there are many unqualified, unlicensed people out there calling themselves therapists, life/executive coaches, spiritual healers, etc. and probably do not have the necessary education, experience, licensing, and certification required to help you solve problems of the mind. Read my post "Client Beware" for more details about therapist credentials and picking a therapist.

Read my "Client Beware" Blog Post

In conclusion, CBT is one of the most researched, proven, effective, time-limited and cost effective (many problems can be treated effectively in 3 months or less - one one-hour session per week)  therapies available today and the treatment of choice for many psychological problems. So if you are looking specifically for a therapist specializing in CBT, as many educated consumers are, the preceding information should be helpful.

With that said, there are many reasons why CBT may not be appropriate for you or your particular problems. There are many good therapies and therapists available, so I recommend you do some research and know what you are looking for when selecting a therapist. In any event, to reinforce the importance of my earlier point, MAKE SURE THEY ARE LICENSED (PSYCHOTHERAPIST) IN YOUR STATE if nothing else.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need additional assistance finding the right therapist for you. GOOD LUCK!

Timely Reply from Managing Editor, Air Force Times

From: Becky Iannotta
Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 9:26 AM
To: combatcounselorchris@gmail.com
Subject: Letter to Air Force Times

Mr. Sorrentino,

Please allow me to introduce myself. I have been the editor at Air Force Times for about six months, yet I do not recall ever seeing a letter from you in my current role or in my previous position as news editor of Air Force Times. Your letter on accidents and redeploying troops makes it sound as if you have written on multiple occasions. I apologize if you have sent letters that went ignored.

I would like to publish your letter as it relates to the "thrill seeking behavior" and lack of qualified mental health providers, and your response to the suicide story. The letter will be edited for space and style, as is our policy.

Thank you for writing and for reading Air Force Times.

Sincerely,

Becky

Becky Iannotta

Managing Editor

Air Force Times

and my reply...

Ms. Ianotta,

Thank you for responding and for acknowledging the importance of these issues by publishing my letter. 

I have written on several occasions to Dr. Bret Moore (Kevlar for the Mind – psychotherapy related issues such as these), Ask the Lawyer (regarding being discriminated and retaliated against – as a male/disabled veteran – by the University of Missouri-Kansas City, a case that the US Department of Education is investigating and has found “cause” for mediation), as well as a few to airlet@airforcetimes.com where I sent these emails.

I would finally like to point out in Dr. Moore’s May 7^th follow-up piece on the “stigma” of mental health in the military.  I believe he missed a tremendous opportunity to fix some things that have been broken in the DoD and VA for a long time and even hurt the cause by “recommending” that military members go the “chaplains” if they want 100% confidentiality.  Of course, chaplains provide wonderful services and there is a time, a place, and a person best suited for that experience. But the problem is that these wonderful people are not (normally) qualified to properly treat our military with PTSD and other mental health issues.  These young men and women (military and veterans) are committing suicide in record numbers, or are not seeking the treatment they so desperately need, because THEY ARE AFRAID TO SEEK TREATMENT because it WILL ruin their career and/or they WILL lose their security clearance.  That stigma and paranoia carries over into the VA system where they see the same bureaucracy and lack of a sense of urgency in helping them as they saw in the military.  I have seen it first hand in my role as a licensed clinician on military installations and experienced it myself upon return from a year in the desert (Aug 01 – Aug 02).  Even as a mental health provider myself, I would not and did not seek treatment UNTIL I knew I was retiring and could not be hurt by “the system”.

In any event, it is nice to have you on board as editor and am glad that you took the time to read my concerns and publish them.

Best wishes,

Chris

Chris Sorrentino

Chris Sorrentino, LtCol, USAF (Ret)

LPC, NCC