Helping Veterans Manage PTSD Symptoms After Therapy
Empowering Veterans to Self-Manage PTSD Symptoms Following Completion of Trauma-Focused Therapy
This program helps Veterans continue to manage their PTSD symptoms and build on their therapy progress after completing trauma-focused treatment.
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 ID | NIH-11199639 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many Veterans still need support after finishing trauma-focused therapy for PTSD, even if their symptoms have improved. This program, called EMPOWER, is designed as a step-down from active therapy, offering a therapist-assisted self-management approach. It helps Veterans practice and apply the skills they learned in therapy to maintain or enhance their gains. The goal is to empower Veterans to feel confident in managing their symptoms and reduce their need for frequent mental health services.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Veterans who have completed trauma-focused therapy for PTSD and still have remaining treatment needs or wish to continue building on their progress.
Not a fit: Patients who have not yet completed trauma-focused therapy for PTSD or who require intensive, active psychotherapy may not receive direct benefit from this specific program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could help Veterans maintain their mental health improvements after therapy and reduce their need for ongoing intensive mental health services.
How similar studies have performed: A prior feasibility test of this program showed promising results, indicating it was acceptable to patients and helped maintain or enhance PTSD gains while reducing mental health service use.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- Minneapolis VA Medical Center — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kehle-Forbes, Shannon M. — Minneapolis VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Kehle-Forbes, Shannon M.
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.