Treating PTSD in Diverse Populations

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is typically thought of as afflicting returning military and Veterans who have endured extreme wartime stressors that challenge their value system and mental health.

But PTSD is much more prevalent and is more varied than that. Many individuals who suffer from PTSD have no ties to the military and develop PTSD as a result of civilian violence in the community, in the family and in intimate relationships and seek treatment in community mental health settings. In addition, many Veterans seek their care outside of the VA. This is why it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based cognitive-behavioral treatment for PTSD that includes flexible delivery strategies for different circumstances in the context of the broader community.  In this PAIRE administered study, Dr. Cloitre and her research team will assess the effectiveness of a treatment refined here in Palo Alto, against the Treatment as Usual (TAU) in the context of every day clinical care in community mental health settings. This is an active study and many study participants have been enrolled to benefit from this novel and flexible care option.  Once the study is completed, study results will be published at national mental health conferences and in scientific journals so more clinicians can learn from and implement what works best to treat PTSD.