Bringing proven psychotherapies for depression into VA clinics
Official title: From Training to Practice: Understanding the Integration of Evidence-Based Psychotherapies for Depression (INTEGRATE)
Funded at Minneapolis VA Medical Center · NIH-11199640 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to make it easier for Veterans to get effective, evidence-based psychotherapies for depression by understanding and fixing barriers in VA care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Minneapolis VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX003323-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11199640 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans with depression who receive care at VA clinics and are willing to share their experiences or participate in clinic-based activities would be the ideal participants.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not enrolled in VA care or who receive treatment entirely outside participating VA clinics are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
This project looks at why VA therapists rarely use proven psychotherapies for depression by studying system, clinic, therapist, and patient perspectives. Researchers will collect information from VA clinics through interviews, surveys, and reviews of care processes to identify barriers like scheduling, training gaps, or service organization. They will also gather Veterans' views about these therapies to understand patient preferences and obstacles to uptake. Findings will guide changes to help VA clinics offer these treatments more consistently.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Veterans could have better access to effective psychotherapy for depression, which may reduce symptoms and lower suicide risk.
How similar studies have gone: Similar VA implementation efforts have increased access to evidence-based psychotherapies for PTSD and other conditions, but applying those lessons specifically to depression is less studied.
Where this research is happening
-
Minneapolis VA Medical Center
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ackland, Princess E. — Minneapolis VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Ackland, Princess E.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Biotype-based Personalization of Antidepressant Augmentation in Late-Life Depression
A multi-site study will test a computer-guided approach to choosing the best augmentation option for older adults with treatment-resistant depression.
-
Suubi-Mhealth: a mobile app to help Ugandan youth with HIV manage depression and ART adherence
A mobile app designed for 14–17 year olds in Uganda aims to support mental health and keep HIV treatment on track.
-
Group-based postpartum depression prevention: in-person vs. virtual delivery
A large study is testing whether the ROSE group program delivered virtually to pregnant people is just as helpful as the in-person version in preventing postpartum depression.
-
DESCANSO: A friendly CBT plan to ease depression, sleep problems, and fatigue in Latino cancer patients
A Spanish-speaking CBT program called DESCANSO is being tested to help Latino cancer patients feel less tired, sleep better, and happier.
-
Personalized iTBS for Depression: Faster, Targeted Brain Stimulation
A personalized, time-efficient brain stimulation approach may help people with treatment-resistant depression achieve better relief using tailored iTBS settings.
-
Ultrasound-guided brain circuit targets for treatment-resistant depression
This grant tests whether focused ultrasound can safely and reversibly adjust brain circuits linked to negative mood in people with treatment-resistant depression.
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.