Sample interview questions: How do you approach providing support to military personnel who may be struggling with feelings of guilt or shame related to their military service?
Sample answer:
Approaching Support for Military Personnel Struggling with Guilt and Shame
- Build a strong therapeutic alliance: Establish a non-judgmental and empathetic connection to foster trust and open communication.
- Normalize feelings: Acknowledge that guilt and shame are common experiences for military personnel. Explain that these emotions arise from the complex and often traumatic nature of service.
- Explore the sources of guilt and shame: Help the individual identify specific experiences or actions that are contributing to these feelings. Encourage them to share their perspectives and feelings without fear of criticism.
- Cognitive restructuring: Challenge negative or distorted thoughts that may be perpetuating feelings of guilt and shame. Help the client develop more balanced and realistic self-perceptions.
- Exposure therapy: Gradually expose the individual to situations that trigger guilt and shame while providing support and coping mechanisms. This helps reduce avoidance and desensitize them to these emotions.
- Skill development: Teach coping strategies, such as mindfulness, stress management, and self-compassion, to help the client manage their emotions and improve their resilience.
Source: https://hireabo.com/job/7_0_14/Military%20Psychologist