Discussion 1:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

While historically post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been addressed chiefly as an issue faced by veterans, it has only been quite recently that the awareness of the impact of war has begun to increase. As veterans return from combat, we are learning even more clearly the dire need for mental health approaches to address the impact of war on soldiers. The media has started to highlight the need for interventions to address this mental health issue, publishing the staggering statistics on veteran suicides. According to the Suicide Data Report, 2012 (Kemp & Bossarte, 2013, p. 18), veterans and active duty military are taking their lives at the rate of 22 a day. This number can be reduced with the proper type of prevention and intervention strategies. Consider Jake Levy and his struggle with PTSD, and the most recent interventions used to address its symptoms.

For this Discussion, review the program case study for the Levy family.

· Post your description of the interventions used by the practitioner. 

· Identify the specific skills and tools used with Jake to address PTSD. 

· What other skills might you use with Jake to address his symptoms?

· Explain why these might be important to help Jake heal emotionally.

References (use 3 or more)

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014a). Sessions: case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

· The Levy Family (pp. 15–16)

Sharpless, B. A., & Barber, J. P. (2011). A clinician’s guide to PTSD treatments for returning veterans. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 42(1), 8–15. doi:10.1037/a0022351. 

Thyer, B. A. (2013). Intervention with adults. In M. J. Holosko, C. N. Dulmus, & K. M. Sowers (Eds.), Social work practice with individuals and families: Evidence-informed assessments and interventions (pp. 147–176). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Yoder, M., Tuerk, P. W., Price, M., Grubaugh, A., L., Strachan, M., Myrick, H., & Acierno, R. (2012). Prolonged exposure therapy for combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder: Comparing outcomes for veterans of different wars. Psychological Services, 9(1), 16–25.