When making judgments in complex and high-stakes situations, there is a heightened risk of sustaining a moral injury. This can occur when healthcare workers, soldiers, and others are forced to act (or not to act) in ways that go against their own conscience, when they must make a call despite unresolved inner turmoil, or when they perceive that others are engaging in grave ethical violations. This presentation will explore the continuum f moral emotions, human decision-making, as well as the concepts of moral distress and injury. It will review causes and examine why traditional trauma treatments may be ineffective for individuals facing this type of issue, as well as review practical intervention options for healing.

After attending the session, participants will be able to:

(1) Translate the concept of moral injury into common cognitive and emotional responses which may present and be able to uncover the cause of the injury in order to identify the issues which must be addressed in clinical interventions; and,

(2) Write and follow a treatment plan for individuals who have experienced a moral injury and evaluate the progression of the treatment in order to adjust its course as may be indicated.