Pretreatment stabilization increases completion of trauma-focused evidence-based psychotherapies.

Objective: Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) initiate and complete cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and prolonged exposure (PE) at low rates within Veterans Health Administration (VHA) despite substantial dissemination and training. This study investigated how trauma-informed, skills-based treatment ("stabilization") administered before CPT and PE was related to initiation and completion of trauma-focused evidence-based psychotherapies (TF-EBPs).

Method: Data were extracted from the VHA electronic medical record to identify veterans who initiated outpatient treatment in the PTSD Clinical Team (PCT) at a Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

Moral Injury: An Integrative Review.

Individuals who are exposed to traumatic events that violate their moral values may experience severe distress and functional impairments known as "moral injuries." Over the last decade, moral injury has captured the attention of mental health care providers, spiritual and faith communities, media outlets, and the general public. Research about moral injury, especially among military personnel and veterans, has also proliferated.

Impact of Killing in War: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Trial.

Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to test the effectiveness of Impact of Killing (IOK), a novel, cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) aimed at reducing mental health symptoms and functional impairment.

Method: Participants were 33 combat Veterans with a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis who had completed trauma-focused psychotherapy and reported distress regarding killing or feeling responsible for the deaths of others in war. Veterans were randomized to either IOK treatment or a 6-week waitlist condition, after which Veterans could receive IOK.

Seeking Safety Pilot Outcome Study at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder are two of the most prominent psychiatric disorders among military service members. Seeking Safety (SS) is an evidence-based behavioral therapy model for this comorbidity. This article reports results of a study of SS conducted in a military setting.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized controlled trial.

Study Objectives: Examine whether cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) improves sleep in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as nightmares, nonsleep PTSD symptoms, depression symptoms, and psychosocial functioning.

Design: RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL WITH TWO ARMS: CBT-I and monitor-only waitlist control.

Setting: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center.

Treatment utilization by women with PTSD and substance dependence.

This study reports the treatment utilization of 77 women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance dependence in three areas: lifetime utilization, past thirty days utilization, and perceived helpfulness/harmfulness of current treatments. Results indicated high lifetime treatment utilization overall, yet, for one subgroup, no treatment exposure at all. Most current treatments were focused on SA, in striking contrast to participants' preference: over 80% would choose either combined SA/PTSD treatment or PTSD-alone treatment.