U.S. Service Member to Counseling Student

Authors

• Nicole Marie Arcuri Sanders, Coastal Carolina UniversityFollow
• Kellie Forziat-Pytel, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, Lock HavenFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

0000-0002-0643-1106

Author Biography

Dr. Nicole Arcuri-Sanders, Ph.D., ACS, LPC-S, LCMHC-S, LPCC, BC-TMH, NCC, SAC, is an Associate Professor of Counseling and Counselor Education Program Coordinator at Coastal Carolina University. She is a licensed clinician and supervisor whose work focuses on counselor education and supervision best practices, with particular emphasis on preparing counselors to serve military-connected populations. Her scholarship, presentations, and advocacy efforts examine military cultural competence, access to mental health care, and training needs for counselors working with service members, veterans, and their families.

Kellie Forziat-Pytel, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, ACS, currently works as an Assistant Professor at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania-Lock Haven. Her specialty area consists of military, trauma, grief and loss, and their impacts on individuals, families, and the community. Her scholarly and clinical work focuses on improving counselor training and mental health support for military-connected populations.

Document Type

Article

Keywords

armed forces, counseling, counselor-in-training, separation, service member

Subject Area

Counseling, Counselor Education, Higher Education Counseling, Mental Health Counseling

Abstract

This qualitative descriptive study examines the absence of military career pathways for licensed mental health counselors (MHCs) and the impact of this structural limitation on service members' career transitions. Findings indicate that both combat and non-combat veterans pursued mental health counseling due to personal service-related mental health experiences and dissatisfaction with available care while in service. Despite these challenges, many participants expressed a strong desire to continue serving their country as professional counselors. Over half of the participants reported separating from the military because no occupational role existed for licensed MHCs. At the same time, most indicated they would have remained in service if such a role were available. These findings highlight the need to establish formal counseling roles within military systems to support service member retention and expand access to culturally responsive mental healthcare. Implications for counselor education and supervision are discussed.

Public Significance Statement

This study highlights how the absence of a formal counseling role within military systems influences service members’ decisions to separate from service to pursue careers in mental health counseling. Findings suggest that many service members remain committed to serving others but are constrained by structural limitations within military occupational pathways. These results offer important insight for counselor education programs and military systems seeking to strengthen culturally responsive mental health support for service members and veterans.

Recommended Citation

Sanders, N., & Forziat-Pytel, K. (2026). U.S. Service Member to Counseling Student. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 20(3). Retrieved from https://research.library.kutztown.edu/jcps/vol20/iss3/5