Deployment, Reintegration, & Masking: Inside the Minds of Military Kids | Teens: No Cap Ep. 46
Teens Uncharted: the PodShow Notes
Welcome back to another episode of Teens No Cap with your host, Charity Chaffee! In this episode, we sit down with Jason Kelley, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, to discuss the unique experiences and mental health challenges faced by teenagers in military families.
Jason brings an incredible blend of lived and professional experience to our coffee chat. After serving in the military for 17 years and working in mental health for the latter half of his career, Jason opened his own practice, Your Way Therapy, where he focuses on military members, veterans, and their families. Today, we unpack the realities behind the "resilient military brat" stereotype, the hurdles of deployment and reintegration, and how to best support military families.
In this episode, we discuss: ✨The Cost of Resiliency: While military children are known for being resilient, they often mask their true emotions or act as overachievers to keep their family stable during difficult times. ✨The Complexities of Deployment: Beyond just deployments, military kids face the stress of constant relocations, long hours, and temporary duty assignments (TDYs) that frequently disrupt their lives and friendships. ✨The "Reintegration" Phase: Jason explains that a deployed parent returning home is often harder on the family than the deployment itself, as everyone must adjust to shifted routines and changing family dynamics. ✨Parental Shame: The stay-at-home caregivers often struggle with feelings of shame or inadequacy when they can't manage their child's severe mental health issues on their own. ✨Advice for Therapists: Providers must take the time to understand military culture and avoid putting the service member on a pedestal, ensuring they equally recognize the profound sacrifices made by the family at home.
Jason Kelley's Practice: https://ywtherapy.clientsecure.me/#home
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