The Military and Veterans’ Health Division is committed to supporting the mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of Black service members, veterans, military families, and the clinicians who serve or have served in the military themselves. We recognize that the experiences of military life, from enlistment to deployment to reintegration, carry unique challenges that intersect with race, identity, faith, and community.

This division brings together Black counselors, clinicians, and advocates dedicated to culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and ethically grounded care. We aim to create community among those who serve in and out of uniform while advancing research, training, and dialogue around the complexities of military service and moral injury in Black populations.

Mission

To promote culturally competent, trauma-informed, and spiritually attuned counseling and advocacy for Black service members, veterans, military families, and military-affiliated clinicians with a focus on addressing moral injury, trauma, and resilience through healing-centered approaches.

Vision

A future where Black veterans, service members, families, and military clinicians receive affirming, equitable, and culturally grounded care that honors their service, recognizes their moral and psychological wounds, and supports their journey toward restoration, wellness, and belonging.

Values

• Cultural Competence and Representation — We address the intersection of race, culture, and military identity, ensuring that Black voices and experiences are central to all areas of military mental health.

• Honor and Integrity — We honor the sacrifice and service of Black military members and the clinicians who also wear or have worn the uniform.

• Healing Moral Injury — We recognize the spiritual, ethical, and psychological wounds that can result from combat, duty, or systemic injustice, and promote restorative, community-based healing practices.

• Trauma-Informed Care — We approach military and veteran trauma with compassion, evidence-based strategies, and cultural awareness.

• Equity and Advocacy — We fight for fair access to care, representation, and resources for Black veterans, service members, and their families.

• Community and Connection — We build networks of support among counselors, veterans, and families to foster shared understanding and resilience.

• Education and Empowerment — We provide training and mentorship for counselors who serve military populations and those navigating their own military-to-civilian transitions.

Current Initiatives & Focus Areas

• Moral Injury and Healing — Exploring how moral injury affects Black veterans and service members — including the intersections of faith, culture, and justice — and developing culturally responsive interventions for recovery.

• Supporting Clinicians Who Serve — Providing professional and peer support for counselors who are veterans or active-duty members, addressing the unique emotional and ethical challenges of dual service.

• Cultural Competence in Military Mental Health — Training clinicians to understand how race, systemic inequities, and military experience shape the wellbeing of Black veterans and their families.

• Trauma and PTSD Recovery — Promoting trauma-informed, culturally grounded approaches to post-traumatic growth and resilience.

• Transition and Reintegration — Assisting Black veterans and their families with navigating identity, purpose, and community reintegration after military service.

• Family and Relationship Wellness — Strengthening family systems and supporting spouses, partners, and children of military members through connection and culturally responsive care.

• Advocacy and Policy Engagement — Promoting equitable access to mental health services and visibility for Black veterans and clinicians in national and institutional spaces.

Who Should Join

This division is for counselors and mental health professionals who:

• Work with military-connected clients or families, including those experiencing trauma, grief, or moral injury.

• Identify as veterans, reservists, or active-duty service members and want a professional home that honors both their service and their clinical identity.

• Are passionate about advancing culturally responsive and trauma-informed military mental health care.

• Seek to deepen their understanding of moral injury, racial identity, and spiritual wellness in military and veteran contexts.

• Advocate for equity, representation, and healing-centered care for Black service members, veterans, and their loved ones.

Join us to connect with a community of counselors, veterans, and advocates committed to honoring service, promoting justice, and healing moral and emotional wounds within the Black military and veteran community.