Gaps in Service for National Guard and Reservist Support
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 |9:00AM-11:00AM EST
Workshop Description
This workshop will focus on the gaps of service that exist within the veteran community, specifically for national guard and reservist members. Gaps in service for National Guard and Reserve members can create challenges, particularly regarding benefits, career progression, and reintegration into civilian life. Navigating benefits and reintegration can be complex. Additionally, gaps in documenting health conditions particularly for national guard and reservist can hinder future disability claims and benefit accessibility. Although veterans who have guard or reserve experience potentially go through the same types of challenges as their veteran counterparts, their access to care with regards to both medical health and mental health are not compatible, hence often exacerbating already existing conditions that are in fact correlated to service, as well as invalidating or undermining their service experiences overall. Panelists will share their lived experiences in relation to this topic area.
Learning Objectives
After completing this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Define what it means to be a veteran with national guard or reserve experience.
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Show an understanding of benefits access for this population.
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Outline significant challenges faced by veterans with national guard or reserve service.
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Identify clinical recommendations in working with this population.
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Demonstrate understanding of how policy may undermine or invalidate service challenges for this population.
Continuing Education Credits: 2.0
This workshop is approved for licensed social workers, licensed mental health counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed psychologists.
Note: Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative (VMHTI) Program Series (September–December). Each session is 2 hours and offers 2 free CEs. Sessions are stand-alone—participants may register individually.
Fees
FREE CEs, registration required.
Presenter: Aynisa Leonardo
Aynisa Leonardo is a Licensed Clinical Art Therapist (LCAT, ATR-BC), who has been in the field of addiction and mental health services for over a decade. She is the VP of Clinical Outreach at Water Gap Wellness, in support of community outreach, treatment placement, education, and program development. She has concentrated on advanced clinical education, locally and nationally, providing evidence-based and interactive presentations for the community, medical facilities, non-profits, and corporate agencies, to raise awareness on current trends, reduce the stigma associated with accessing care, and improve collaboration within the healthcare community.
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