A picture of Robert Caffrey (on right most side) with the troops during combat

Robert Caffrey, JD, MA

"Holding Center: How Warrior Traditions Can Inspire Hope and Promote Healing in Counseling"

"Warriorhood is not a profession, but a way of being. In troubled times, warriors appear from all walks of life to preserve and protect those things valued by society as sacred. It is in managing this conflict, in "holding center" by relying on time honored warrior traditions, that the counseling profession can inspire hope and promote healing for our clients, our communities, and ourselves."

About our keynote speaker

Robert J. Caffrey, JD, MA, presently works of counsel as a litigator with the law firm of Mayo Crowe in Hartford, Connecticut and has a private counseling practice. A 14 year veteran of the United States Army Reserve, he was deployed to Haiti (1995) and Bosnia (1996) as a peacekeeper and served in combat in Iraq in eastern Baghdad (2003 – 2004). His military awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster. He has trained in the martial arts for over 20 years and holds a fourth degree black belt in Shaolin Kempo Karate. For the last 18 years he has provided martial arts instruction to both adults and children. He holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in History and Sociology from the University of Notre Dame, a Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University, and a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University.

2009 CMHCA Professional Development Day

The Combat Trauma Continuum and Veterans: Lessons from the Past, Wisdom from the Present and Healing in our Future

Robert Caffrey

Evaluation Comments

1. Very good explanation of the physiological changes under extreme stress.
2. Excellent material! Best of the day, very informative, empowering as a therapist.
3. Very interesting and more relevant/applicable than expected.
4. Excellent. Passionate.
5. More time was needed – a great deal of information in a very short time. Great workshop!
6. Excellent! Thank you for being real. Thank you for your service.
7. First rate presentation. The last presentation of the day is always the most difficult. Bob pulled it off with polished expertise. He left me with a lot to think about and a need to research further.