LGBTQ-affirming cognitive behavioral therapy for Veterans
Official title: Equity-Focused Implementation of LGBTQ-Affirmative Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Hybrid Implementation-Effectiveness Trial
Funded at Durham VA Medical Center · NIH-11164489 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Durham VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX003702-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11164489 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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 VA Medical Center
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wilson, Sarah Mosher — Durham VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Wilson, Sarah Mosher
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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.