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Live Webinar

The Weight of Service: Trauma, Moral Injury, and the Unbroken Program for First Responders

Kevin McCauley, MD, MPH
Bill Reynolds, PA-C LCDR USN (Ret.)
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Information

Date & Time

Description

First responders, veterans, and active-duty service members experience elevated levels of trauma exposure, placing them at increased risk for a range of mental health concerns. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and moral injury frequently present with overlapping yet distinct clinical features and are often accompanied by co-occurring disorders such as substance use, depression, and anxiety. Evolving treatment approaches emphasize trauma-focused care, enhanced engagement strategies, and culturally responsive interventions tailored to the unique experiences of these populations. Specialized programming, such as The Meadows’ Unbroken program, reflects an ongoing commitment to addressing the complex clinical needs of those who serve on the front lines.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop is to enhance clinicians’ understanding of trauma-related mental health concerns in first responders, veterans, and active-duty personnel. Emphasis is placed on differentiation between PTSD and moral injury, recognition of common comorbidities, and application of trauma-focused approaches to improve engagement and treatment outcomes.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify key mental health risks and stressors affecting first responders, veterans, and active-duty personnel.

  • Differentiate between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and moral injury, including their distinct clinical presentations and implications for treatment.

  • Recognize common comorbid conditions, including substance use disorders, depression, and anxiety.

  • Apply trauma-focused approaches to enhance client engagement and improve treatment outcomes.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Nurse
  • Physician
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Kevin McCauley, MD, MPH
Dr. Kevin McCauley is a physician, educator, and internationally recognized speaker on the neuroscience of addiction and recovery. A graduate of Drexel University School of Medicine, his interest in substance use disorder treatment began while serving as a naval flight surgeon, where he saw addiction addressed as a safety issue rather than a moral failing. In long-term recovery himself, Dr. McCauley has dedicated his career to advancing the understanding of addiction as a brain disease. He has delivered more than 2,000 lectures worldwide and is the writer and director of the educational films Memo to Self and Pleasure Unwoven, the latter of which received the 2010 Michael Q. Ford Award from the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. He has also served as a Senior Fellow with The Meadows since 2016. Dr. McCauley currently lives in Sedona, Arizona, with his wife, Kristine, and recently earned a Master of Public Health from the University of Arizona.
Bill Reynolds, PA-C LCDR USN (Ret.)
Bill Reynolds, PA-C LCDR USN (Ret.), is an experienced psychiatric provider with a 30-year U.S. Navy career and a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. During his Navy service, he worked in diverse operational environments, including submarine duty, supporting the U.S. Marine Corps in combat, and serving as the medical officer for a U.S. Navy SEAL Team. He brings firsthand understanding of the challenges of military service, extensive experience with first responder communities, and deep knowledge of mental health care, addiction medicine, post-traumatic stress, and military leadership. As the founder and architect of nationally recognized programs for military and first responder populations, Bill combines clinical expertise with seasoned operational and leadership experience in high-pressure environments. At The Meadows, he leads Unbroken, a specialized trauma and addiction treatment program for military, veterans, and first responders, guiding program development and care with a focus on culturally informed, trauma-focused treatment, respect for service, and lasting recovery.

Financially Sponsored By

  • The Meadows