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Purpose: Complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is a multifaceted disorder, and the specific diagnostic criteria developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which highlight symptoms of CPTSD (i.e., affect dysregulation, negative self-concept, disturbed relationships), that occur along with PTSD symptoms speak to this. Understanding the disorder itself and its ramifications is essential as our society is exposed to seemingly more and more traumatic and long-lasting events, all of which may lead to an increase in the number of overall cases. CPTSD is characterized by changes in three primary areas of the brain -- hippocampus, amygdala, and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)-- which are usually smaller in individuals with CPTSD, and there are certain subsets of individuals who have an increased likelihood of developing this disorder (e.g., individuals with physical and psychiatric disabilities, children exposed to long-term trauma). Method: The authors conducted a scoping literature review on CPTSD, treatment approaches for individuals with CPTSD, and rehabilitation implications. Results: Treatment for CPTSD is generally more extensive than treatment for PTSD and should be made available for those in need. There is a dearth of research on this topic in the rehabilitation literature; however, disability research has consistently shown that employment plays a huge role in successful recovery among individuals with psychiatric disabilities, which includes CPTSD. Conclusion: In order to ensure client success, rehabilitation counselors, educators, and researchers must understand the complexities associated with CPTSD and then how to best go about incorporating this information into individual plans for employment and our classrooms as well as making research in this area a priority for the field.

Background: Marijuana as an alternative treatment for chronic illnesses has gained popularity over the past several years, and researchers continue to report positive outcomes for a growing number of disorders. Objective: To address the increasing number of individuals with disabilities using medicinal marijuana, this study sought to ascertain how rehabilitation professionals (RPs) respond when working with individuals who use this form of treatment. for chronic health conditions. Methods: RPs were presented with two case scenarios depicting clients who were either currently using or considering using marijuana and were asked what steps they would take when working with this individual. Options included: (1) dismiss the client; (2) counsel the client against using; (3) refer client to a mental health professional; (4) meet with the employer; (5) consult with the physician who would recommend medical marijuana for your client; (6) consult your supervisor; (7) consult your agency's policy on drug use; and (8) review the code of ethics for your profession. Findings: No significant results were noted in scenario 1, however, participants were more likely to consult those who could increase their understanding of medicinal marijuana and those who could help support their work with these clients In scenario 2, participants were significantly more likely to select meeting with the clients' employer, which speaks to the primary focus of RPs' work---helping clients obtain and maintain employment. Conclusion: There are far reaching implications for our work as RPs, including serving as valuable resources for clients who do not typically seek out vocational rehabilitation services.

Purpose: In this article, we examined how individuals with co-occurring psychiatric disabilities and substance use disorders encounter numerous challenges when it comes to the vocational rehabilitation (VR) process. Method: A comprehensive review of the literature demonstrated barriers to service delivery (e.g., access to services, exclusionary eligibility requirements) and hindrances to VR planning (e.g., lack of training of VR counselors, lack of work-related skills) which all serve to create obstacles through which they must navigate. This article provides a brief overview of (a) the challenges that these individuals face in treatment and VR and (b) general considerations for providing more recovery-oriented VR services to increase their participation in the VR process, facilitate recovery, and improve VR outcomes. Results: Our review highlighted that VR participation and successful outcome rates among this group as a whole are much lower than the rates of those with other types of disabilities. Researchers have suggested a myriad of strategies that have proven advantageous when working with these individuals all of which serve to increase rates of sustained recovery and employment success. Conclusion: Additional research is still needed to substantiate the barriers to service delivery for this underserved VR population, evaluate how to implement more recovery-oriented practices within the VR system, and determine if such changes do indeed lead to improved outcomes for consumers with co-occurring disabilities.

All employees within the workplace must be treated fairly and equitably including those with disabilities who may require accommodations that serve to increase access to and maintenance of competitive employment. Human Resource Development (HRD) researchers and practitioners have experience in accommodating employees with disabilities but are now increasingly faced with disorders with which they are not as familiar. One of these disorders is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This article provides detailed information on how to detect PTSD in the workplace and implement solutions, including appropriate accommodations, for employees with this disorder. Integration of the Jobs Accommodations Network (JAN) Areas and Considerations with HRD principles is a suggested starting point in an effort to meet the employment needs of these employees.

With the growth in popularity of marijuana as a legitimate form of treatment in the United States, the inclusion of it as a viable treatment option for individuals with a number of disabilities and chronic illnesses has become evident to life care planners. The utilization of marijuana and its related products, unlike other medical services and medication, is complicated by the conflicting ideals outlined in state and federal legislation as well as the variations among the laws in each individual state. The use of these products, coupled with having to navigate the guidelines governing their use, can create challenging situations through which care planners and their clients must transverse. To obtain information about how life care planners in the United States are incorporating these products in their current plans, interviews were conducted with four life care planners in states where marijuana is legal in some form. This article will explore how life care planners are addressing the needs of their clients by including marijuana in life care plans when appropriate; it will also include a basic overview of the pharmacological properties of marijuana and provide a brief summary of disorders commonly by treated by medicinal marijuana and included in state medicinal marijuana laws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented wherein the editor discusses various reports in the issue on topics that provide information on the general themes that include community integration, physical and mental health and wellness and vocational competency.