Practical for Your Practice

Behavioral strategies get a lot of attention in the insomnia field, and with good reason – sleep restriction and stimulus control work quickly to get patients sleeping better. But what about those pesky thoughts that get in the way of good sleep? “I’ll be useless tomorrow!” “I’ll never be able to sleep normally!” “If I fall asleep right now, I’ll only get 4 hours of sleep!” Unhelpful cognitions fuel poor sleep and we’re ignoring a critical part of the equation if we don’t intervene with them. In fact, research suggests that working on sleep-related cognitions help patients maintain the benefits they make through behavioral interventions. Today we’re joined by Dr. Allison Harvey, an expert in the field of sleep disorders. She outlines strategies for how to intervene with the most common sleep-interfering cognitions. Join in as Carin and Dr. Harvey try to convince Kevin that insomnia treatment is fun!

Allison G. Harvey, PhD, is a Professor, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Director of The Golden Bear Sleep and Mood Research Clinic in the Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Harvey is a treatment development researcher who conducts research focused on understanding and treating sleep and circadian problems, mental health, and behavior change processes. She has published over 300 peer reviewed papers and chapters and authored three books. Her research is funded by the National Institute of Health. Dr. Harvey is a recipient of numerous awards including from an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Orebro, Sweden as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sleep Research Society and the Society for Behavioral Sleep Medicine.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Dr. Harvey’s chapter introducing her cognitive model of insomnia. Harvey, A.G. (2002). A Cognitive Model of Insomnia. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 40, 869–893
The Beck Institute for training in general cognitive therapy skills: www.beckinstitute.org
Dr. Christine Padesky’s educational content on cognitive therapy: www.padesky.com
Practical for Your Practice Podcast, S6E2: Don’t Attach Your Sleep Tracker to Your Ceiling Fan (and Other Helpful Tips from Insomnia Experts): https://cdp.usuhs.edu/podcast/practical-for-your-practice-don-t-attach-your-sleep-tracker-to-the-ceiling-fan-and-other-helpful-tips-from-insomnia-experts
Dr. Bennet-Levy’s book on behavioral experiments: Bennett-Levy, J., Butler, G., Fennell, M. J. V., Hackmann, A., Mueller, M., & Westbrook, D. (Eds.). (2004). Oxford guide to behavioural experiments in cognitive therapy. Oxford University Press

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The first 12 months after leaving the military can be an incredible window of opportunity, but it is also a uniquely high-risk time for a service member’s mental health. When the uniform comes off, Veterans don't just leave a job; they lose a built-in mission, a tight-knit community, and a structured way of living. In this episode, hosts Dr. Jenna Ermold and Dr. Kevin Holloway sit down with licensed psychologist and researcher Dr. Shannon Blakey to flip the script on how we support transitioning veterans. Instead of waiting for clinical distress or pathology to surface, Dr. Blakey shares how clinicians can use Behavioral Activation (BA) as a proactive super-tool for wellness promotion. Tune in to discover how to help Veterans build an internal "compass," translate rigid military strengths into civilian life, and navigate the unexpected identity shifts of life after service.

Shannon Blakey, PhD, is a Research Clinical Psychologist at RTI International and co-
founder of Redstart Psychological Services, PLLC. Dr. Blakey’s research focuses on the
nature, prevention, and treatment of mental health problems and suicide risk, especially
among military and veteran populations. Her research has been supported by the
National Institutes of Health and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), including an
ongoing DoD-funded project to adapt Behavioral Activation strategies into an upstream
well-being promotion and suicide prevention program for use during the military-to-
civilian transition. Dr. Blakey has published over 100 scientific articles and book
chapters and serves on multiple journal editorial boards. She is a North Carolina
Licensed Psychologist and maintains an active clinical practice delivering evidence-
based psychotherapies to veterans and service members.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Blakey, S. M., et al (2026, September 16). How to improve military transition outcomes through values-based activities.
Blakey, S. M., et al (2025). Bringing veteran mental health promotion and suicide prevention efforts upstream: The THRiVE study protocol. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 158, 108100.
Castro, C. A., & Dursun, S. (Eds.). (2019). Military veteran reintegration: Approach, management, and assessment of military veterans transitioning to civilian life. Academic Press.
Lejuez, C. W., et. al (2011). Ten year revision of the brief behavioral activation treatment for depression: Revised treatment manual. Behavior Modification, 35(2), 111–161.

Calls-to-action:
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Clinical work with clients at high risk for suicide can make providers feel they are on a conveyor belt. One reason for this is that, sadly, so many people are struggling with crises and safety concerns; the demand for services seems never-ending. But another reason is more insidious: the risk of provider burnout. On today’s episode, Dr. Erin Frick shares her perspective from working as a clinician and educator in the field of suicide prevention. Listen in as she encourages us to remain hopeful and connected with the “humanness” behind the crises. And if you have thoughts about how to “redefine the ‘wins’ “ in this work, share them with us.

Erin Frick, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist and an Associate Director at the Consortium for Defense Psychology (CDP), located at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.. At CDP, Dr. Frick leads the VA-Safeguard Suicide Prevention Project, where her team works to identify and implement best practices for suicide prevention among special veteran populations by leveraging evidence-based psychotherapies and VA standards of care. She also leads the DoD Child Collaboratory, a team dedicated to researching and implementing training and best practices for utilizing telehealth and digital tools to enhance healthcare and support for military youth and families.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Therapeutic Risk Management Tool, available on the Rocky Mountain MIRECC website: https://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn19/trm/
The benefits of mindfulness for stress reduction: Ameli R, Sinaii N, West CP, Luna MJ, Panahi S, Zoosman M, Rusch HL, Berger A. Effect of a Brief Mindfulness-Based Program on Stress in Health Care Professionals at a US Biomedical Research Hospital: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Aug 3;3(8):e2013424. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.13424. PMID: 32840621; PMCID: PMC7448827.
CDP’s CBT for Suicide Prevention workshops: https://cdp.usuhs.edu/training-schedule

Calls-to-action: For example:
Attend CDP’s CBT for Suicide Prevention (CBT-SP) training
Regularly implement self-care
Share your impactful moment in the comments or via https://www.speakpipe.com/cdpp4p
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In this episode, hosts Drs. Jenna Ermold and Carin Lefkowitz sit down with clinical psychologist and national pain management expert Dr. Jennifer Murphy to dismantle the traditional, "find it, fix it" biomedical approach to chronic pain. Drawing from her extensive background, including five years as the National Director of Pain Management for the VA, Dr. Murphy highlights why addressing persistent pain is a critical piece of mental health advocacy, particularly for Veterans.
The conversation explores the complex intersections of chronic pain with PTSD, sleep disturbances, and elevated suicide risk. While providers often feel ill-equipped to ask about pain, Dr. Murphy demystifies the treatment process, revealing that evidence-based protocols (like CBT for Chronic Pain) rely heavily on foundational behavioral health skills clinicians already possess.
Because military-connected clients can often be more comfortable entering care to address physical versus behavioral health symptoms, treating a patient’s pain can act as a pivotal therapeutic gateway to addressing trauma and PTSD down the road. Ultimately, validating a patient's lived experience is the first step toward restoring autonomy and opening the door to deeper clinical healing. There is no wrong door and the most important thing we can do as providers is keep as many of them open as possible.
Did this episode spark your interest in expanding your chronic pain practice toolkit? Did it bring up a question or underscore an impactful moment you experienced? Reach out to us via email or leave us a message on Speakpipe. And remember to stay curious and mind your EBPs!

Dr. Jennifer Murphy is a clinical psychologist who has specialized in pain management for twenty years. She is CEO of Pain Expert Consulting and Senior Clinical Strategist for Applied VR. From 2020-2025, Dr. Murphy served as the National Director of Pain Management for the Department of Veterans Affairs. She is lead author of the VA’s Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain Manual, a book entitled Chronic Pain and Opioid Management: Strategies for Integrated Treatment, as well as numerous peer-reviewed publications.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
AppliedVR: Explore immersive, FDA-authorized virtual reality healthcare technology designed to help patients manage chronic pain. Learn more at AppliedVR.
Consortium for Defense Psychology (CDP) Training: CDP offers evidence-based protocol training in CBT for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP) multiple times a year. Check out the upcoming training schedule on our upcoming trainings page

Calls-to-action:
Take a CBT for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP) workshop through CDP
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In this episode of Practical for your Practice, hosts Dr. Kevin Holloway and Dr. Jenna Ermold dive into the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence in mental healthcare. They are joined by 1LT John Ray Roberts and 1LT Annie McConnon, rising graduate students in the clinical psychology program at the Uniformed Services University (USU).
Together, they explore how clients and clinicians are currently navigating AI - from automated note-taking to therapeutic chatbots - and discuss ongoing research tracking provider and patient perceptions. The conversation balances the exciting potential of AI as a resource extender with the indispensable, human elements of the therapeutic relationship. AI is already in the therapy room. Tune in to find out how you can participate in this vital research and ensure provider perspectives aren't left behind.

Annie Mcconnon, 1LT, USA is a rising 4th year clinical psychology doctoral candidate at the Uniformed Services University. She earned her master's degree in Clinical Counseling and Sport/Performance Psychology from Boston University. She is currently the Health Psychology Extern at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and an Operational Psychology Extern at the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group. Her research interests include performance psychology interventions and artificial intelligence.
John-Ray Roberts, 1LT, USA is a rising 3rd-year clinical psychology doctoral student at the Uniformed Services University. He earned his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) at Louisville Seminary in 2017. Prior to his time at USUHS, he served as a chaplain in the United States Army Reserve. His current research interests center on the intersection of artificial intelligence and human expertise, with particular attention to applications in clinical psychology.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Sentio University (AI and Mental Health Course): https://sentio.org/free-ai-course-therapists
Stanford AI Index: https://hai.stanford.edu/ai-index/2026-ai-index-report
Military Medicine Journal (2025): Ann D McConnon, Airyn J Nash, John Ray Roberts, Shmuel Z Juni, Ashley Derenbecker, Patrice Shanahan, Andrew J Waters, Incorporating AI Into Military Behavioral Health: A Narrative Review, Military Medicine, Volume 190, Issue 9-10, September/October 2025, Pages e1870–e1881, https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaf162

Calls-to-action:
Take the survey here: https://forms.gle/ZBiSDf4FwXK4RQqw6 (Questions? Contact john.roberts@usuhs.edu)
Share your impactful moment on our SpeakPipe at https://www.speakpipe.com/cdpp4p or via email cdp-podcast-ggg@usuhs.edu
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