Ministry with Families of the Deployed

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Ministry with Families of the Deployed
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The Deployment Cycle (Obsolete)
Mobilization (Reservists)
Pre- Deployment
Redeployment Reunion
Deployment
Pre-Notification
Rebonding
18 hrs to Months? Deployment Workshops/ Separat
ion Prep
Enlistment to Notification Relationship Minist
ry
Weeks-months Facilitating Commo Community Bu
ilding
1-6 mos. to Notification Marriage Maintenance R
elationship Ministry
1 mo.prior to 1 mo. After reunion Pre-Reunion Br
fgs, Reunion Seminars
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The Circular Deployment Cycle
PRE-NOTIFICATION/ SUSTAINMENT
PRE- DEPLOYMENT
Train-up /Sustainment
RE- BONDING
Mobilization
Post Deployment
Reconstitution
Demobilization
RE- DEPLOYMENT
DEPLOYMENT
Deployment
Employment
Redeployment
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Current Situation with Returning Combat Vets

• 80 recover without help in 6 months
• 20 have growing symptoms after 6 months
• Chronic anxiety
• Trouble controlling affect in relationship
• Less able to use softer emotions
• Persistent hyper-arousal (amygdala)
• Chronic fight/flight and fear/anger
• Less energy for life, love, and happiness

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Current Issues

• CISD not better than control groups
• Some harmed by CISD
• Rise in Family Violence with vets
• Rape with combat vets (affect recovery)
• Many vets have trouble reattaching to significant
  people

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Attachment Theory

• Biological imperative for emotional bonds
• Isolated humans wither (at all ages)
• Trauma victims have trouble re-attaching
• Lack of trust in God, people, and life
• Anger and fear stand as sentries
• Feedback perceived as attack

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Types of Attachment

• Secure all is good attach, explore, grow.
• Anxious Ill make you respond to me pursue,
  drive away, needy
• Avoidant I will care less discouraged, distant,
  powerfully uncommitted
• Fearful Come here, Dont touch trauma survivor.
  People are the solution and source of fear.

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EFT

• Emotionally focused therapy
• Empirically valid
• Treats couples rather than individual
• Source of healing is relationship
• Core tasks
• Build safe haven alliance with couple
• Access and expand emotions
• Restructure interactions

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New Directions

• Screen groups for debriefing (Triage)
• Compassion Fatigue Ministry for Care-Givers
• Screen for pre-deployment MH/CD
• Identify those with grief and loss
• Denial and avoidance is OKAY!
• Reattachment (not reliving trauma) is key
  fun/meaningful experiences

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Timing

• Unless people are having difficulty, therapists
  should leave alone.
• Deal with their pain as they wish.
• Repress, avoid, and deny are fine.
• Anxiety and sleeplessness are normal for six
  weeks.
• After six weeks, get help.

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Deployment CrisisCrisis Opportunity
Sustainment
Deployment
Reunion
Sustainment
Opportunity for Change/Growth!!
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ABCX Crisis Model
resources
b
veteran

Stress pile-up
a
x
victim
c
Importance of the mission
ABC-X model of family stress
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DCSP Required Actions
Post-Deployment
Reconstitution
Redeployment
R-Day! (Return from OCONUS)
R-Day 1 Month
R- 1 Mo.
R 6 Mos

• In Theater
• Reunion Training
• Suicide Prevention Tng
• Debriefing opportunity
• Families at Home
• Reunion Basics
• Marital Snapshot

• Marriage Maintenance workshop (Required for AC
  only)
• Marital Snapshot Opportunity

• Reintegration Period?
• Training
• Reunion
• Suicide Awareness
• Changes in Relationships
• Communication w/Children
• Marital Snapshot Tool

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CONTINUUM OF CARE
Involvement
CA