011: Moral Injury with Dr. Wyatt Evans

Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Communicate & Connect Podcast, hosted by Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky. Today, we have an incredibly compelling discussion lined up about the intricate and often misunderstood topic of moral injury. Joining us is the esteemed Dr. Wyatt Evans, a board-certified clinical psychologist renowned for his work with the VA North Texas Healthcare System, as well as his research into moral injury and resilience. In this episode titled "Moral Injury with Dr. Wyatt Evans," we dive into how intense emotions like anger and moral pain can develop into moral injury, especially following deep betrayal within relationships. This nuanced conversation contrasts moral injury with PTSD, focusing on the former's roots in contempt and trust issues, as opposed to fear responses central to PTSD. Dr. Evans sheds light on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and other emerging therapies that show promise in addressing moral injury, particularly within military contexts. He shares powerful examples, including scenarios faced by service members that illustrate the profound moral conflicts they encounter. These insights pave the way for our discussion on "The Moral Injury Workbook," co-authored by Dr. Evans, which offers a structured approach for sufferers and their partners to understand and heal from moral injury. Dr. Polinsky and Dr. Evans also explore the real-life impact of moral injuries in non-military settings, such as relationship violence, emphasizing how guilt, shame, and betrayal can signify that one's moral values remain intact despite intense pain. Finally, we'll highlight the importance of maintaining connections and realigning actions with one's values as critical steps in the healing process. Remember, this podcast aims to educate and inspire, serving as a complement to, but not a substitute for, professional therapy. Don't miss this thought-provoking deep dive into moral injury. And as always, if you find value in our podcast, please take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Stay tuned for another episode designed to help you communicate and connect like never before. Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here.    Free Relationship Pattern Assessment Are you having the same conversation over and over? Many couples assume they have a communication problem when they're actually stuck in a relationship pattern that keeps creating the same conflict. Take the free Relationship Pattern Assessment to identify the pattern that may be keeping you disconnected and learn what to focus on next. 👉 https://pages.communicateandconnect.com/relationship-quiz