Couple therapy with combat veterans and their partners

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Military Mental Health
• Couple Therapy

Background:

• Returning service members from Iraq and Afghanistan experience psychological challenges impacting families.
• Couple therapy is a viable systemic approach for addressing these challenges.
• Posttraumatic symptoms are often maintained by experiential avoidance.

Observation:

• Combat veterans and their partners face unique interpersonal difficulties.
• Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT) is adapted for this population.
• The adapted IBCT utilizes acceptance and skills strategies to foster intimacy and reduce conflict.

Findings:

• IBCT effectively reduces conflict between combat veterans and their partners.
• The therapy encourages greater intimacy within the couple relationship.
• Exposure to emotions and interpersonal situations within therapy facilitates recovery.

Implications:

• Adapted IBCT offers a promising treatment for couples affected by combat-related distress.
• Systemic therapy can significantly improve social support and reduce interpersonal conflict for veterans and families.
• Addressing experiential avoidance is key to mitigating posttraumatic symptoms in this population.