This week on Next Steps Forward, Dr. Chris Meek welcomes Dr. Ron Acierno, professor and vice chair of Veterans Affairs in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School, and executive director of the UTHealth Trauma and Resilience Center. With more than 150 published articles, 30 book chapters, and decades of groundbreaking research, Dr. Acierno is a leading voice on trauma, resilience, and veteran mental health.
In this powerful conversation, Dr. Acierno and Dr. Meek explore:
The realities and misconceptions surrounding post-trauma stress and why language matters.
The urgent challenges of veteran suicide, moral injury, and stigma around seeking care.
How trauma affects not only service members but also spouses, partners, and children and what whole-family healing can look like.
Breakthroughs in treatment approaches, including telemedicine, peer-to-peer support, and innovative interventions that save lives.
Insights from working with veterans across generations, from Korea and Vietnam to today’s post-9/11 era.
Dr. Acierno also discusses his research on elder abuse, the future of trauma treatment, and how digital platforms and artificial intelligence may shape mental health care moving forward.
Whether you are a veteran, a family member, a clinician, or someone seeking a deeper understanding of trauma and resilience, this episode offers wisdom, hope, and actionable insights.
