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USC University of Southern California

Military Behavioral Health Continuing Education Course

Cost:
Free
Details:

Course topics will include:

  • overview of the department of defense (DOD)
  • military service composition
  • military historical context
  • military values, language and culture
  • life as a service member
  • deployment cycle and effects on the service member and the family
  • special concerns for service members, veterans and their families
  • transitioning to Veterans Affairs (VA)
  • ethical considerations for treatment
  • compassion fatigue and self-care 

Instructors

Dr. Nikola Alenkin, L.C.S.W., is currently a part-time lecturer at the USC School of Social Work. He has more 15 years of direct classroom teaching experience, at all collegiate school levels. His current role as supervisory social worker at the Department of Veterans Affairs provides him with the opportunity to supervise clinical and paraprofessional staff and provide direct clinical practice to military veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Alenkin completed his dissertation research in the area of secondary traumatic stress/compassion fatigue and coping strategies for mental health professionals. He has also completed research in the areas of homelessness, substance abuse and HIV/AIDS-affected individuals. He is currently part of a study investigating the impact of mindfulness practice in relation to stress management and reduction.
 
Joseph Costello, M.S.W., is currently a team leader at the San Marcos Vet Center and has been employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs since June 1994. He began his career at the VA Honolulu Substance Abuse Treatment Center. He transferred to the VA San Diego Healthcare System Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center in 1996 and became a part of the San Marcos Vet Center team in 1998. Costello holds a Master of Social Work degree from the USC School of Social Work. He is a certified substance abuse counselor in the state of Hawaii and a marriage and family therapist intern in the state of California. His military career includes eight years of active duty with the U.S. Navy, and he received the Navy Expeditionary Medal for participation in the Iran hostage rescue mission. Costello returned to military service after the events of 9/11 and became an Army Reserve paratrooper. He was called to active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Combat Action Badge. Costello retired as a chief warrant officer from the Army Reserve in 2010.
 
This course is not intended for students. Seven CEU credit hours are available for L.C.S.W.s and L.M.F.T.s.