H3 Project Presentation

The H3 Project: Hope, Help, & Healing : 

The H3 Project: Hope, Help, & Healing Chaplain (MAJ) Brad Lee

Program Overview : 

Program Overview The H3 Project is designed as a group treatment approach for Soldiers who have experienced 1) Combat Stress, 2) Combat Trauma, 3) PTSD symptoms related to the previous two elements, 4) Soldiers diagnosed with PTSD, or 5) Soldiers who have “self-diagnosed” with PTSD; AND their spouses and/or families.

Program Rationale : 

Program Rationale Much research regarding individual and group treatment programs for Soldiers with PTSD Miniscule research regarding group treatment involving both Soldiers and family members Family members experience combat stress/trauma vicariously Group process utilizes shared experiences as a vehicle for H3 Group treatment is cost and time effective (vs. individual treatment)

Logistical Preparations : 

Logistical Preparations Location: Chapel Family Life Center Off-post Location(Cost-prohibitive) Home (Not preferred but functional) Childcare: Funded and provided through CTOF (Chapel Tithes and Offerings Fund) Funded and provided through ACS Volunteers (Off-site only)

Logistical Preparations : 

Logistical Preparations Food & Drinks How much is enough How much is too much Who’s responsible Advertising Anonymous Internet Fliers Multi-media Personal Invitation Word of mouth

Group Structure : 

Group Structure 10-12 members optimal 75-90 minute sessions Bi-monthly Semester time-frame (3-4 months) evaluating each segment for goals achieved and set Food/Drink is a secondary consideration “Open” with group determining invitations to new members Transitory nature of group members will provide in and out-flux of members Children: “Special Sessions” vs. Recurring as age appropriate

Treatment Principles : 

Treatment Principles Basic Group Leadership Skills Empathy Attending Reflecting Drawing Out/Cutting Off Safety and Value Be Here Now (nuff said!) Don’t compare the pain but share it Use an effective leadership style: Democratic/Collaborative

The H3 Project:The Real Deal & Some Lessons Learned : 

The H3 Project:The Real Deal & Some Lessons Learned

Group Dynamics : 

Group Dynamics Group comprised of church members exclusively military, only one non-deployed Bi-Monthly Sunday nights, 75 minute sessions Conducted group in our home (Group Choice) Childcare was funded by local church and provided on-site Food was after the fact, not the focus One group member shared via email his OEF experience; wife learned new information in session

Some Things I Said (Initially) : 

Some Things I Said (Initially) This is not a Bible study, although Scripture is at the heart of the work that we do here This is not a “support group,” although we are here to support each other Confidentiality is paramount to the success of any group: What’s said here stays here but even that is subject to each of us adhering to the principle as such Share as much or as little as you desire. Some people grow by sharing, others by listening. Hopefully, we’ll do some of both

Some Things I Asked : 

Some Things I Asked Of the three words that define our group: Help, Hope & Healing, which one identifies what you want out of this group? (Using a Round) What do you need from other members of the group? What is it like (to the spouse) for you to hear that story for the first time? Can you look at her/him (EFT) and share that thought/feeling?

Some Lessons Learned : 

Some Lessons Learned Initially, men will align with other men, and so will women; eventually men will sit with their spouses Sharing was normally focused towards me; diverting was challenging Body language of men was prominently noticeable compared to that of women Many would often share “deeper” issues towards the end of sessions Initially, most used “you” statements as opposed to “I” Rounds were most helpful

Some Lessons Learned : 

Some Lessons Learned On-site childcare was convenient but briefly disruptive at times Conducting H3 in our home was not necessarily ideal—and inconvenient at times—but was a form of self-disclosure My wife’s contribution was invaluable

References : 

References Carlson, Eve B., and Ruzek, Joseph. (n.d.). How Does PTSD Affect Family Members? Retrieved November 21, 2008, from http://ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncdocs/fact_shts/fs_family.html. Curran, Erika. (2007, July 5). PTSD 101. Retrieved October 15, from http://www.ncptsd.va.gove/ptsd101/presenters/erika_curran.html. Mason, Patience H. C. (1995, July-August). How does PTSD Affect Families? Retrieved November 5, 2008 from http://www.patiencepress.com/samples/2ndIssue.html. PTSD and The Family: A National Center Fact Sheet [Brochure]. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2008, from http://www.forests.com/ptsdfam.html. Renshaw, Keith D., Rodrigues, Camila S., and Jones, David H. (2008, August). Psychological Symptoms and Marital Satisfaction in Spouses of Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans: Relationships with Spouses’ Perceptions of Veterans’ Experiences and Symptoms. Journal of Family Psychology. Newbury Park: Vol. 22, Iss.4; pg. 586.