LGBTQ-affirming cognitive behavioral therapy for Veterans

Equity-Focused Implementation of LGBTQ-Affirmative Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Hybrid Implementation-Effectiveness Trial

NIH-funded research Durham VA Medical Center · NIH-11164489

This project will bring LGBTQ-affirming cognitive behavioral therapy to VA clinics to help LGBTQ+ Veterans get culturally safe mental health care.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDurham VA Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-11164489 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you are an LGBTQ+ Veteran getting VA care, this project works to make affirming cognitive behavioral therapy available in VA clinics and to reduce barriers caused by discrimination. The team partners with Veteran-led community groups and VA operations to share decision-making and adapt the therapy to local needs. Participating clinics will be assigned to receive specific implementation supports, therapists will be trained in LGBTQ-affirming CBT, and patient symptoms and service use will be tracked. The focus is on equity so care is culturally safe and more accessible for LGBTQ+ Veterans.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are LGBTQ+ Veterans who receive care at participating VA clinics and who are seeking help for depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns.

Not a fit: People who are not Veterans or who do not receive care at participating VA sites are unlikely to join or benefit directly from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could make it easier for LGBTQ+ Veterans to find trained, affirming therapists and reduce symptoms and suicide risk.

How similar studies have performed: Affirming CBT has shown benefit for LGBTQ+ individuals in prior research, but this is one of the first efforts to implement it broadly within the VA using an equity-focused approach.

Where this research is happening

Durham, 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.