Moral Injury: The Missing Piece in Treating Trauma

Research shows that the bigger driver of suicide amongst veterans isn’t PTSD, but moral injury. Understanding what moral injury is and how it’s distinct, but related to PTSD is critical in treating trauma.

Join Psychotherapy Networker’s Zach Taylor, MA, LPC with Jack Saul, PhD, author of our highly popular feature "The Hidden Trauma of Moral Injury” who will open the door to this important, but often misunderstood phenomenon.

Don’t miss this!

[juleskinkead]

great video. I was in usaf 67-71 and stationed on a smaller island west of main okinawa. this area was still under american occupation to 1972 unlike main japan given back in 1952. then i came back to usa and as an usaf air policeman I was involved in 2 events, one dispatched to downed teenager on the beach who was missing for 5 days and tide took him south to the base. I was 21 and never encountered a dead body and one so young. 2 dead teens from car accident on base, i transported one of them to base ER, found out later he was DOA and worst of all is the suicide of a fellow air policeman who committed suicide with his issued gun while on duty. I was off base when it happened but i just had lunch with him 2 days earlier and trying to listen to some domestic problems. AS part of a disability claim I filed non combat PTSD moral injury. My exam was done by a contractor to the VA a sports psychologist and although I have not seen the reports yet, PTSD was denied outright. and under the law they take the recommendations of these contract examiners. I have other issues, lung, bladder and prostate removal due to TERA PFASs that were deferred even though they confirmed TERA exposure. I have VA certified attorney handling these disability deferrals. This video was best explanation of Moral Injury... but the VBA does not get it.

[jennjenkins]

As a Substance Abuse Counselor I have seen Moral Injury in my Clients from their lives in active addiction. My Clients are all Veterans. Some have incurred Moral Injury through comabt, fell into addiction, and then incurred compounded Moral Injury from their actions and behaviors during active addiction.

[Dani-joyr]

Just example
Survivors of toxic dynamic also often experience
Moral injuries!!!

[keenyaBKraftHappy]

I never knew the was a name for what I have seen and experienced in the prison. My role as a corrections counselor is in full conflict w my core beliefs and practices. The safety of the fact of being inside a level 5 setting doesn't bother me bc I'm well trained. My issue guy punches me every day I see an entire system set up traps and deceptions to cause the inmates further harm, suffering, discomfort, and extended sentences. Not from other inmates but from staff. They prey upon them and if u say something... It's a career ender. They have buried me and entangled me in much work. I can't even remember yesterday's events. They can fire me whenever they want. Bc it's always something left undone. No, I can't talk about it. Talking makes it worse. I am trying to find better placement but am torn about leaving

[DavidMonierWilliams]

I appreciate both your concerns about the devastating effect of Vets with MI.

My disappointment comes from you not realizing that MI is not psychological problem rather a spiritual/religious one.

There is also a way to incorprporate those who are non-believers.

However, it really shouldn't be so surprising as most og those in the mental healing arts are atheist and haven't the remotest idea of how to help those who are people of Faith.

Further, the both of you are stuck in Freudian/Jungian concept that in order for the patient to be helped or to help himself they MUST tell and probably re-live their stories.

This is both evil and in this day and age totally unnecessary.

The process is simple and short and is based on restructuring the trauma not the feelings.

It is merely re-connecting the person with their concept of God/Higher Power or for atheists their Highest Positive Intent using hypnotic language employing words of mercy, change, alteration, improvement.

Then after a sufficient shift has taken place re-introducing the changed and improved event back into the Vet.

From there on the all the Vet's traumas can be elicited in chronological order and the worst one dealt with by running it backwards to the beginning, so that everything and everyone moves and talks backward.

The resolving of the worst trauma has the side effect of the other traumas falling like a deck of cards.

From there, replacing limiting beliefs with ones less limiting and developing new behaviours that support these changes.

Afterward for those of Faith they should be encouraged to meet with their minister, priest or rabbi.

I've used this process on a number of Vets very successfully and in a matter of 10/15 one hour sessions.

I fully understand that for the mainstream therapist much of this is beyond their ken...pity.