Total Credits: 1.5 including 1.5 American Psychological Association, 1.5 Association of Social Worker Boards, 1.5 National Board of Certified Counselors
Moral injury occurs when individuals perpetrate, witness, or fail to prevent actions that violate their deeply held moral beliefs. It causes profound psychological, emotional, and spiritual distress. Moral injury differs from PTSD as its focus is on shame and loss of trust, rather than fear-based trauma.
It’s essential for people to learn about moral injury because it helps them recognize a form of distress that is often misdiagnosed or overlooked as depression or PTSD. Understanding moral injury enables clinicians to more accurately identify the underlying guilt, shame, betrayal, and loss of meaning that may contribute to clients’ presentations yet remain undetected through standard assessments. This awareness enhances diagnostic precision, supports the development of a strong therapeutic alliance by validating clients’ moral and existential distress, and informs interventions that address not only psychological symptoms but also the ethical conflicts, identity disruption, and spiritual concerns inherent in moral injury.
Jessica Mueller, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in California. She graduated with a Doctorate in Clinical Forensic Psychology in 2017. She is currently the Director of Forensic Training at the Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma (IVAT) and has worked in the publications and dissemination department at IVAT since 2014. She is the co-editor-in-chief for the Journal of Family Trauma, Child Custody, and Child Development. Dr. Mueller has experience working in California and New Zealand correctional settings from 2015 to 2025 in various roles including as a clinical psychologist and principal advisor on mental health and addictions. Clinically, Dr. Mueller is trained in DBT, CBT, REBT, and IFS. Dr. Mueller taught at San Diego State University (SDSU) in the Forensic Psychology Certificate program from 2018 until 2024. She maintains a research lab at SDSU, supporting and mentoring students in research methods.
Kiyana Dailey is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist hailing from Oakland, California. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Biology in 2021, followed by a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy in 2023. She is currently a doctoral candidate in the Applied Clinical Psychology program at the Chicago School. With 14 years of dedicated military service, Kiyana brings a wealth of experience and a profound commitment to providing culturally competent counseling, particularly emphasizing support for marginalized communities facing systemic oppression and disparities.
Over the past four years, Kiyana has worked extensively with children, individuals, and couples, addressing a variety of mental health challenges. Her areas of specialization include anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem issues, trauma, personality disorders, mood disorders, PTSD, and domestic violence. She is passionate about serving clients who seek to overcome these challenges and is dedicated to supporting them in achieving their personal goals.
Andrea Anthony is a Doctoral Candidate in Applied Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in San Diego, California. She has extensive experience in mental health, providing therapeutic services, crisis intervention, psychological assessment, and group facilitation across diverse populations, including forensic and high-risk clients. Her clinical interests include forensic psychological evaluation, trauma informed care, and the intersection of mental health and the legal system. Andrea is currently completing her doctoral internship at the Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma, where she contributes to advancing research, clinical services, and training in forensic mental health. Her work integrates evidence-based practices with a culturally sensitive approach, aiming to promote mental wellness and ethical forensic practice.
