Helping Veterans with PTSD through family support and coaching

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Coaching into Care with VA-CRAFT to Promote Veteran Engagement in PTSD Care

NIH-funded research Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys · NIH-11291835

This study is testing a friendly phone coaching program to help family and friends of Veterans with PTSD encourage them to get the mental health care they need, making it easier for everyone involved.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVeterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Palo Alto, United States)
Project IDNIH-11291835 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a new approach to improve mental health care engagement for Veterans with PTSD by utilizing a telephone-based coaching service called Coaching Into Care (CIC). The program aims to educate and empower family members and friends of Veterans to encourage them to seek mental health services. By integrating an evidence-based web program, VA Community Reinforcement and Family Training (VA-CRAFT), the study seeks to enhance the effectiveness of CIC and increase the likelihood that Veterans will initiate care. The ultimate goal is to create a scalable intervention that not only supports Veterans but also addresses the needs of their families.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans experiencing PTSD who are not currently receiving mental health care, along with their family members seeking to support them.

Not a fit: Patients who are already receiving effective mental health care for PTSD may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the number of Veterans with PTSD who engage in mental health care, leading to improved outcomes for both Veterans and their families.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that family involvement can enhance treatment engagement for Veterans, indicating that this approach has potential based on established principles.

Where this research is happening

Palo Alto, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.