By Laura Thornton
Over 1.6 million children in the U.S. have at least one parent serving in the military, according to government statistics. For these children, being able to see a psychologist who is knowledgeable about military life is crucial.
That’s why Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Behavioral Health Services for Military Families program—founded in 2011 within the Institute’s Behavioral Psychology Department and one of the Institute’s Behavioral Psychology Outpatient Programs—offers not only care that is grounded in a solid understanding of what life is like for military families, but also training to postdoctoral fellows in providing culturally informed care. (Read more about this specialized care.)
This focused training originated at the program’s Odenton, Maryland, site, 20 miles southwest of Baltimore and 5 miles from the U.S. Army’s Fort Meade installation. It is co-led by Dr. Jaime Benson and Dr. Christi Culpepper, both psychologists. Over the course of a year, postdoctoral fellows in the program work with their supervisors to provide culturally informed care to military-connected families. They also participate in a monthly training series, hearing from experts, including members of the military, on military life and how it affects families.
“Many of our trainees have gone on to serve families in the military community,” Dr. Culpepper says. “This training is very impactful in terms of preparing the next generation of psychologists to offer care that takes into consideration the ways in which growing up in a military family can affect children and adolescents.”
“When providers understand military culture, they’re in a much better position to see the hidden challenges that service members and their families experience,” Dr. Benson adds. “It’s not just about knowing the lingo or the lifestyle—it’s also about truly respecting their experiences and shaping care that actually fits their reality.”