Role of a Psychologist i n Naval Training System

1. Role of a Psychologist in Naval Training System Lt Cdr Habib

2. INTRODUCTION 3 Basic Concepts : • Military Psychology • Role of a Psychologist • Naval Training System

3. AIM Apprise you about the role of a psychologist in naval training system

4. SEQUENCE • Military Psychology • Role of a Psychologist • Potential Contributions to Training System

5. MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY Military psychology is the research, design and application of psychological theories and empirical data towards understanding, predicting and countering behaviours either in war or in peace e.g. training. It is derived from different psychology disciplines into a tool used by the military, to enable the troops to better survive the stresses of war and training. Cont.

6. MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY • Post-Traumatic Disorder • Early traumatic experience • Military combat • Training Casualty • Natural disasters • Terrorist incidents • Fatal accidents • Violent personal assaults e.g. rape These stresses include PTSD, guilt, family difficulties, nightmares, flashbacks, fatigue, anxiety, frustration, depression etc. Military Psychologist applies different approaches from counselling to therapies in order to treat the stress and psychological trauma.

7. ROLE OF A PSYCHOLOGIST • Primary Role • Provides specialized aid to personnel (sailors, officers), their families, and the victims of the events. • Secondary Role • Study the dynamics of behaviour • Train personnel • Consult on hostage negotiations, Conflict resolution, peace keeping etc. Cont.

8. ROLE OF A PSYCHOLOGIST • Tertiary Role • Fitness for Duty Evaluations, especially in high risk and high reliability occupations. • Maximizes the human capital investment in the workplace by optimizing retention of the talents of active and prospective service men. • Minimizing risk in many areas including violence, mishap, and injury potential.

9. POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRG • Providing Psychological Assistance Guidance • Guidance and Counselling are twin concepts. • Emerged as essential elements in every training & educational activity. • Not synonymous terms. • Guidance means to indicate, point out, show the way, lead out & direct. • Broader and comprehensive. • Preventive. Counselling Counselling is a part of guidance. A specialized service of guidance. • It is the process of helping the individuals learn more about themselves, their presents & their possible future situation to make a substantial contribution to the society. • In-depth and narrow. • Remedial. Cont.

10. POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRG • Providing Psychological Assistance Guidance Counselling Cont.

11. POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRG • Providing Psychological Assistance Therapy • Techniques to help people deal with psychological or interpersonal problems. • Focus on changing behavior. • Therapy approaches are related to the main theoretical perspectives and beliefs about root of behavior. Cont.

12. POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRG Providing Psychological Assistance • Two broad forms of treatment: Psychotherapy:Use of psychological principles/ techniques to treat mental health disorders or interpersonal problems; assumes root is psychological. Biological therapy: Use of medications or other medical interventions to treat problems; assumes root is biological. Cont.

13. POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRG Providing Psychological Assistance • When Psychotherapy is Needed: • Mental health disorder • Maladaptive or interfering behaviour • Coping with general life problems (relationship issues) Cont.

14. POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRG Providing Psychological Assistance • Psychoanalysis (Psychotherapy) • Free Association • Dream Analysis • Interpretation • Resistance • Transference • Free Association : Talks about subject without censoring. Unconscious urges are eventually revealed. • Interpretation : Opinion about themes/issues influencing client’s behavior • Dream Analysis : Dreams reveal unconscious urges symbolically. Psychoanalyst traces latent (true meaning) content of dreams. • Transference : Form of projection. Transferring feelings and emotions towards positive event. • Resistance : Avoidance or denial of certain topics or issues. • Humanistic Therapy Focuses less on unconscious and more on conscious actions. Person needs supportive environment to self-explore and heal. • Client-centered Therapy Focus comes from person or client. Therapists facilitate self-awareness and personal growth through: Empathy, Genuineness, and Unconditional positive regard. • Behaviour Therapy • Behavior therapy focuses on changing current behaviors; also called behavior modification. Two categories of treatment: • Classical Conditioning • Operant Conditioning • Cognitive Therapy Change maladaptive patterns of thinking and perceiving. Replace with more adaptive patterns • Cognitive-behaviour Therapy Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) combines behavior and cognitive therapy. Highly effective in treating anxiety, depression, eating disorders and substance abuse. • Drug Therapy Medications used to treat mental health problems. Not a cure, but can reduce symptoms. Stabilizes symptoms so psychological issues can be addressed. Cont.

15. POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRG Cognitive Restructuring Activating Event Belief Consequence (Behavioural / Emotional) (A) (C) (B) Dispute New Effect (D) (E) Change the Perspective!

16. POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRG • Effective Psychotherapy: • Answers are not simple or straightforward. • Many factors related to effectiveness. • Eclectic, integrated and diverse approach is required.

17. CONCLUSION • Psychology is the science of behaviour and mental process. • Military psychology is derived from many psychological principles and used in war and peace. • Military psychologist provides psychological assistance in war and training where high risks are involved and reliability is indispensable. • Uses of therapy. Cognitive-behaviour therapy. • Many factors related to effectiveness. • Eclectic, integrated and diverse approach is required.

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