Description

Upon completion of this conference, participants will be able to:

1. Describe Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) in military spouses and explain how it differs from individual stress or burnout models.
2. Analyze STS through a trauma-informed, systems-level lens, identifying how military culture, role expectations, and institutional structures contribute to cumulative psychological harm.
3. Critically examine resilience-based narratives and assess their limitations when applied to military spouses and family systems.
4. Identify implications for practice, policy, and service delivery that support the development of trauma-informed systems responsive to the needs of military spouses.

 

Presenter Bio

Erika Wallgren is a Licensed Master Social Worker and a Doctoral Candidate in Military Behavioral Health in the College of Social Work at the University of Kentucky, currently completing her doctoral training in trauma-informed systems, military family mental health, and health equity. She holds a Master of Social Work from Indiana University, a Master of Science in Applied Communication from Fitchburg State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a concentration in Social Work from the University of Massachusetts.

Ms. Wallgren serves as an Integrated Therapist at Thrive Wellness and Recovery, where she provides outpatient treatment to individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders in underserved and military-connected communities. She also teaches in graduate and undergraduate social work and communication programs, with experience in trauma-informed pedagogy, interpersonal communication, and professional practice.

Her research centers on Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) among military spouses and the systemic factors that contribute to trauma exposure, service barriers, and unmet mental health needs within military family systems. Her doctoral capstone project advances the Trauma- Informed Military Family Systems (TIMFS) Model, a conceptual framework designed to integrate trauma theory and ecological systems theory to improve clinical practice, policy, and service delivery for military-connected families.

Erika’s scholarly interests include military cultural competence, trauma-informed care, family systems, and behavioral health access for marginalized populations. Her work contributes to emerging conversations on how military institutions, cultural norms, and service structures shape the mental health outcomes of military spouses and families. She has been an active member of the NASW since 2024.

 

Delivery Method: Live Interactive Training via Zoom Video Conferencing

Credit Hours: 1.0 (ACE)

Target Audience: This conference is intended for social workers and students.

Accreditation: University of Kentucky College of Social Work, Provider # 1377, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/29/25-9/29/28. Social workers participating in this conference will receive up to 15 general continuing education credits.

Claiming CE Credit: Instructions for claiming CE credit will be disseminated at the beginning of each session.

Questions: If you have any questions regarding CE credit or to report a grievance, please contact Christina Krantz at Christina.Krantz@uky.edu. For technical assistance, please contact lmshelp@uky.edu.

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these presentations are those of the individual presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the University of Kentucky or the College of Social Work. The inclusion of any topics, perspectives, or discussions is intended for academic engagement and does not constitute endorsement by the institution.