Brief CBT for anxiety in VA primary care
A pragmatic trial of brief CBT for anxiety in VA primary care
This project offers short, problem-focused cognitive behavioral therapy to Veterans with anxiety in VA primary care, delivered in-clinic or by VA Video Connect at home.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11301799 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be offered a brief, structured CBT program delivered by primary care mental health providers during or connected to your VA primary care visit. The project is a four-year, multisite pragmatic randomized trial that compares delivering the brief CBT in person versus via VA Video Connect–Home. Researchers will track anxiety symptoms, functioning, and how well the therapy can be adopted into routine VA primary care. Findings will be used to guide wider use of quick, accessible anxiety treatments across VA clinics.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Veterans receiving care in VA primary care who have anxiety symptoms or an anxiety disorder and can attend in-person visits or use VA Video Connect at home.
Not a fit: Patients with very severe, complex, or treatment-resistant anxiety, active suicidal risk, or who need longer-term specialty psychotherapy may not benefit from this brief program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give Veterans faster access to effective, shorter CBT for anxiety within primary care and improve day-to-day functioning.
How similar studies have performed: Traditional CBT and telehealth CBT have strong evidence for anxiety, but brief CBT models specifically designed for VA primary care are less tested and this pragmatic approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fletcher, Terri Lynn — Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Fletcher, Terri Lynn
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.