PTSD 101 Curriculum

This course provides a quick but comprehensive look a the latest posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) practice guideline jointly authored by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD). The presenter describes the evidence supporting the psychotherapy and medication recommendations in the guide, and reviews changes made from the previous version. Psychotherapies discussed include Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Stress Inoculation Training (SIT). The presentation outlines the level of evidence for commonly-prescribed medications. This includes those deemed most effective---such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)---and those whose benefits are unknown or, like benzodiazepines, actually cause harm. Presenter: Matthew J. Friedman, MD, PhD

This course describes the theoretical underpinnings of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT incorporates such concepts as values clarification, self as context, relational frame theory, and experiential avoidance into the treatment of depression and anxiety. The presenters explain how ACT could be applied to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They also describe the limited empirical support for delivering ACT to persons with PTSD and discuss the need for more research. Presenters: Robyn Walser, PhD and Sonja Batten, PhD.

This course provides a review of the literature on the prevalence, symptoms, and course of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in older adults, including older Veterans, and the impact of aging on PTSD. The presenter also describes best practices for assessment and treatment of PTSD in the elderly. Presenter: Joan Cook, PhD

This course provides a review of the literature regarding the prevalence of anger and aggression in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the interaction between anger and PTSD symptoms.. The presenter reviews the VA/DoD Guideline for treating anger and PTSD and describes a clinical application. He also addresses issues related to anger, including domestic violence, hypervigilance, and irritability. Presenter: Casey Taft, PhD

This course addresses the elements of and empirical support for two evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Includes case examples with session excerpts to help further providers’ understanding of these treatments. Presenter: Candice Monson, PhD

This presentation provides an overview of the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) as a Level A psychotherapy intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The presenter reviews the research support for Cognitive Processing Therapy and provides information about delivering the treatment. Presenter: Kathleen Chard, PhD

This course examines the common stressors of operational military deployments---from the merely annoying through the potentially devastating---and places such experiences in their context defined by military cultural values and identity. The three major mechanisms of combat stress injury are listed, and the effects of one of them (traumatic stress) are described in detail. Presenter: William P. Nash, MD

This course describes complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and its use in the United States and by Veterans, as well as the VA/DoD Guideline Recommendation for the use of CAM for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The presenter also reviews the literature relevant to CAM for PTSD and provides information related to special considerations for using CAM. Includes discussion of yoga, acupuncture, meditation, diet, herbal supplements and other vitamins, equine therapy, service dogs, therapy dogs and other non-traditional treatments. Presenter: Stephen Ezeji-Okoye, MD

This presentation provides an overview of the research documenting the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and intimate relationship problems. The rationale and methods for including partners and loved ones of Veterans with PTSD in the assessment and treatment of the disorder are also discussed. Treatment can take the form of couples therapy, a type of family therapy in which both partners attend conjoint sessions. Presenter: Candice Monson, PhD

This course provides the viewer with an overview of the science of epidemiology and related key concepts. After building this framework, the presenters discuss factors in the epidemiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in relation to how they influence prevalence estimates. An in-depth discussion of prevalence estimates of PTSD in different samples, particularly Veterans, is then provided. Presenters: Paula P. Schnurr, PhD and Jaimie L. Gradus, DSc

This course reviews the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline recommendations regarding Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Presenter: Joe Ruzek, PhD

This course will help providers understand the interaction between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and functional impairment and make informed decisions when choosing assessment measures. The course also reviews the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline recommendations for assessing functional impairment in people with PTSD. Presenter: Brian P. Marx, PhD

This presentation describes the clinical application of group therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and evaluates the research support for group therapy. The presenters also review the recommendations provided by the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD regarding the use of group therapy for PTSD. Presenters: Denise M. Sloan, PhD and Tracie Shea, PhD

This course addresses how to increase the effectiveness of evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly in difficult cases and situations. The author presents how to decide who is appropriate for evidence-based treatment using assessment. She discusses common barriers to effective delivery of PTSD treatment and provides solutions to overcome these barriers. Presenter: Kathleen M. Chard, PhD

This course provides an overview of the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline recommendations for managing substance use disorders---both alcohol and drug abuse---and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through psychotherapy and pharmacology. The presenters describe the co-occurrence of these conditions and identify evidence-based assessment and treatment strategies. Presenter: Daniel Kivlahan, PhD and Debra Kaysen, PhD