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Emerald Dyan Ralston, Psy.D., is a 2026 graduate of the Psy.D. Program in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University, New England

Dissertation Committee:

  • Martha Straus, PhD, Chairperson
  • Casey Culligan-Benoit, PsyD, Committee Member
  • Raynalde Schagen Lipfert, PsyD, Committee Member

Professional headshot of Dr. Emerald D. Ralston

Emerald D. Ralston, Psyd

Keywords

attachment, moral injury, veterans, challenge-by-choice, therapeutic adventure

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

Moral injury is increasingly recognized as a distinct and debilitating consequence of military service, arising when individuals engage in, witness, or are unable to prevent actions that transgress their deeply held moral beliefs. In this dissertation, I argue that this form of trauma can be experienced as an attachment rupture, particularly when the military—functioning as an institutional attachment figure—betrays the servicemember’s trust. Such experiences compromise internal working models (IWMs) of self, others, and the world, and may result in complex trauma symptoms, including dissociation, depersonalization, and profound relational disconnection. These injuries are frequently stored in the body, rendering traditional cognitive interventions insufficient for full recovery. This dissertation offers a novel theoretical framework for addressing moral injury-related attachment trauma in veterans through high-intensity, somatic, challenge-by-choice experiences in nature, with a particular emphasis on long-distance backpacking. Drawing from attachment theory, somatic psychology, ecopsychology, and memory reconsolidation theory, I describe a model of healing for veterans who engage in physically demanding outdoor experiences that replicate the structure, rhythm, and somatic familiarity of military life within a non-coercive, self-directed, and relationally reparative environment. The natural world is conceptualized as a potential attachment figure capable of offering secure base and safe haven functions, promoting nervous system regulation, and facilitating the reorganization of disrupted IWMs. Through embodied engagement with nature, veterans may experience corrective somatic experiences that support trauma resolution without requiring verbal disclosure or traditional clinical interaction. These processes are further supported by the inherent bilateral stimulation, mindful presence, and awe frequently encountered in wilderness settings. This theoretical model is grounded in interdisciplinary literature as well as the author’s firsthand experience completing a long-distance thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. It expands current understandings of moral injury and trauma recovery by integrating somatic and eco-psychological perspectives, and highlights the need for further research into non-traditional, place-based interventions for veterans with complex trauma histories. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

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ORCID iD: 0009-0005-4882-7423

Emerald Ralston summiting Mr. Katahdin on the Appalachian Trail

Dr. Ralston summiting Mt. Katahdin on the Appalachian Trail

Bio:

Emerald Ralston earned her PsyD from Antioch University New England. Dr. Ralson's dissertation research explores nature-based, somatic, and attachment-focused interventions to heal moral injury and trauma in military veterans. A former U.S. Air Force public affairs specialist and speechwriter, Emerald brings nearly two decades of service-oriented experience to her clinical work, including roles in forensic psychology, veteran mental health, community mental health, and correctional settings. She is a 2021 Pat Tillman Scholar, served as a National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology (NCSPP) student delegate, and is a member of APA Division 19: Society for Military Psychology. Passionate about the intersection of service, healing, and community, Emerald also serves as the Director of Alumni Relations for Warrior Expeditions, helping veterans reintegrate through long-distance backpacking and outdoor adventure, is a freelance yoga instructor, and serves as a psychedelic preparation and integration coach. 

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