The CHANGED Program Best Practice Guide 

Training for Professionals Supporting Military Veterans

I developed the CHANGED Program Best Practice Guide based on my research, psychology training, and extensive clinical experience working with military veteran communities. Over the years, veterans repeatedly shared with me the challenges they face when transitioning from military life to civilian systems, particularly the emotional, relational, and cultural barriers that can make support feel inaccessible or ineffective. I created this guide to equip professionals with the knowledge, skills, and practical strategies needed to provide empathetic, effective, and culturally informed care.

Military transition to civilian life is often complex, non linear, and multidimensional. It affects wellbeing, identity, family relationships, communication, and community participation. Many veterans struggle to navigate civilian systems, feeling disconnected from those who do not understand military culture, ranks & systems, alongside experiencing psychological and emotional challenges. This is why I designed the guide to focus on understanding the veteran mindset and to provide professionals with tools to build trust, enhance engagement, and respond to the unique needs of this population.

I also developed this guide to integrate research with practical psychological and psychosocial strategies, supporting professionals in clinical, educational, health, and community settings. Core sections include understanding military rank, structure, and culture; the deployment cycle; emotional and interpersonal stressors; transition to civilian life; and fostering resilience. Special attention is given to trauma, moral injury, identity transition, and communication challenges that veterans often experience in civilian systems.

The guide is designed to help professionals enhance engagement and build trust. This includes acknowledging military culture, communicating clearly and empathetically, encouraging help seeking, and providing trauma informed care that emphasises safety, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. It can be seamlessly integrated into individual care plans, providing targeted, evidence based interventions tailored to each veteran’s history, emotional state, and readiness to engage.

Through the CHANGED Program Best Practice Guide, I aim to support professionals in fostering long term, trusting relationships with veterans. By applying consistency in support, using a strengths based approach, and respecting autonomy, professionals can help veterans feel understood, valued, and empowered to make meaningful choices about their care. My ultimate goal in developing this guide is to ensure that veterans receive the skilled, empathetic, and culturally informed support they need to navigate civilian life successfully, strengthen resilience, and maintain wellbeing.