Louisiana National Guard’s director of psychological health honored

Photo By Master Sgt. Toby Valadie | The Louisiana National Guard Reintegration Office’s Director of Psychological Health Cindy Escandell, was named the Best Director for the south central region for the second year in a row by the National Guard Bureau for her work helping Guardsmen in February. Escandell has a doctorate in clinical psychology.  

PINEVILLE, LA, UNITED STATES

03.16.2011

Story by Sgt. Rebekah Malone 

Louisiana National Guard

PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana National Guard Re-integration Office’s director of psychological health was recently honored in February for the second year in a row by the National Guard Bureau for her work helping guardsmen.

Cindy Escandell, who has a doctorate in clinical psychology, was named the Best Director for the south central region for her “consistent insight and skill with clinical issues” as noted in her citation.

The NGB assigned a director of psychological health to each of the 54 Joint Force Headquarters to ensure Guardsmen and their families receive excellent care. Escandell, a native of Wichita Falls, Texas, and resident of Alexandria, filled Louisiana’s position two years ago.

She is also the recipient of the American Counseling Association of the Branch Best Leadership Development Project Award for the southern region for her work as National Guard liaison to the Louisiana Counseling Association.

“Dr. Escandell is a dedicated professional that provides a great service to our soldiers and airmen," said retired Col. John R. Angelloz, director of the reintegration office. "These awards simply verify what we have always known ... she is great at what she does for our service members and their families."

The reintegration office’s mission is to actively assist Guardsmen and their families by providing a single source of advocacy, information, support and referral services, one of which Escandell provides as the director of psychological health.

The first award Escandell received was at the NGB Professional Development Seminar in Atlanta for the south central region for doing an exceptional job as director of psychological health.

She was then awarded the ACA award for recruiting 30 licensed counselors for Military OneSource and 24 counselors for Yellow Ribbon reintegration events for returning soldiers. The counselors she recruited all had to have a minimum of five years counseling experience and a background in military culture.

“Counselors are eager to help out. All I had to do was give them the opportunity,” she said.

Escandell attributed her national recognition to the command atmosphere of the Louisiana Guard, saying it makes her job easier.

“When I get a reference from commanders, it’s because they actually know their soldiers,” she said.

Due to confidentiality, Escandell only discusses a patient’s case with people whom the patient has authorized. When she asks Guardsmen if it is alright to discuss their case with their commanders, she said she gets the same answer every time.

“Every single time they tell me – ‘You can tell them. They already know,’” she said.

Escandell said it is this type of mentality that is making a difference to Guardsmen.

Escandell began practicing in 1997 after receiving her master's degree from Midwestern University in counseling. She went on to receive her doctorate in clinical psychology from Southern California University in 2002.

She will discuss her project at the National ACA conference in New Orleans and will be mentioned in the May issue of Counseling Today as well as featured on the ACA’s website.

“It’s very motivating,” said Escandell about working with guardsmen. “It’s so rewarding because you can see the difference. You don’t get that often. You know you are making a difference.”

• Date Taken: 03.16.2011
• Date Posted: 03.16.2011 14:21
• Story ID: 67182
• Location: PINEVILLE, LA, US