Open Trial of Behavioral Activation and Social Engagement (BASE) for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder focused on measuring Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Social Support, Primary Care
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Veterans who:
- are currently enrolled in either of the Primary Care Clinics (including Women's Clinic) or Primary Care Mental Health Integration clinic at VA Puget Sound Health Care System - Seattle Division
- meet criteria for clinical or subclinical PTSD
- are willing to have therapy sessions audiotaped for the purposes of supervision
- plan to live in the Seattle area for 6 months following entry into the study
Exclusion Criteria:
Veterans who:
- exhibit the presence of severe mental illness diagnosis (e.g., active psychosis and/or uncontrolled bipolar disorder)
- have been a psychiatric in-patient admission in the past 30 days
- have had a suicide attempt in the last 60 days
- have had a plan or intent to harm self or others in the last 30 days
- have a behavioral flag in their medical record
- have had a psychiatric medication dosing or receipt that has changed in the last 30 days
- are unwilling to provide at least 1 collateral contact
- have impaired decision making capacity (as measured by evidence in the Computerized Patient Record System record of moderate-severe Traumatic Brain Injury, uncontrolled psychosis, dementia, communication flag, or by clinical judgment in speaking with the participant
- are prisoners
- are illiterate or have limited or no English proficiency
- are terminally ill
Sites / Locations
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Experimental
Behavioral Activation and Social Engagement
Participants will attend 6 in-person therapy sessions lasting approximately 45 minutes per session, held in Primary Care settings. Content of therapy sessions includes education about PTSD symptoms, discussion of the role of avoidance in maintaining PTSD symptoms, self-monitoring homework to identify links between activity level and emotions, and homework designed to increase engagement in valued activities, with a focus on increasing social contact and support. If relevant, participants will be instructed in basic communication skills, social skills, and relaxation skills. We have modified the standard Behavioral Activation intervention by reducing the number and length of sessions to accommodate the Primary Care setting. In addition, there will be a stronger emphasis on social engagement in BASE then in standard BA and social contact and support will be addressed during each treatment session.