Conservation Psychology and Veteran Post-Traumatic Growth

Time: 1:00 pm-4:00 pm

Location: Virtual

Instructor: Dr. Jeremy W. Grisham, EdD, LMHC, MHP 

CE credits: 3 CE's (pending)

Course Description:

This course examines ecotherapy and conservation psychology as essential responses to the growing disconnection between humans and the natural world. Moving beyond models that frame nature as a tool for human benefit, participants will explore reciprocal approaches that position humans as part of, not separate from, ecological systems. Drawing from liberation psychology and critical pedagogy, the course addresses the impacts of systemic and environmental disruption on mental health while cultivating practices that support reconnection, responsibility, and collective healing. Participants will leave with practical and conceptual tools to apply this work across clinical and community contexts. 

 Objectives:

At the end of this training, participants will:

1. ·      Understand ecotherapy concepts from a conservation-minded, reciprocal approach with other aspects of nature.
2. ·      Develop practical skills for the use of ecotherapy in working with veterans and military-connected communities. 
3. ·      Be able to discuss human relationships with nature from a conservation psychology lens.  
4. ·      Develop awareness of human relationships with natural systems and understanding of humans are integrated as nature and of nature.  

References:

American Psychological Association (2025). Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of PTSD. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline

Moshier, S. J., Mahoney, C. T., Bovin, M. J., Marx, B. P., & Schnurr, P. P. (2024). Session-level effects of Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure on individual symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among US veterans. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 92(7), 422-431. doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000880

Schnurr, P. P., Chard, K. M., Ruzek, J. I., et al. (2022). Comparison of Prolonged Exposure vs Cognitive Processing Therapy for treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among US veterans: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open, 5(1), e2136921. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.36921.