Testing a brief therapy for anxiety in Veterans' primary care
Official title: A pragmatic trial of brief CBT for anxiety in VA primary care
Funded at Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center · NIH-11201734 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well a short therapy program can help Veterans with anxiety, and it will be offered in person or online to make it easier for more Veterans to get the support they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX002796-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11201734 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans who are experiencing anxiety disorders and are seeking care in primary care settings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have anxiety disorders or those who are not Veterans may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of a brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) program specifically designed for Veterans experiencing anxiety within primary care settings. The program will be delivered either in-person or via telehealth using VA Video Connect-Home, making it accessible to more Veterans. By examining both clinical outcomes and how well the program can be implemented, the research aims to improve access to mental health care for Veterans. The study will take place over four years and will involve multiple sites to gather comprehensive data on its effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the availability and quality of anxiety treatment for Veterans in primary care settings.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that brief psychotherapy approaches, like CBT, can be effective for treating anxiety, particularly in primary care settings, suggesting a promising avenue for this trial.
Where this research is happening
-
Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fletcher, Terri Lynn — Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Fletcher, Terri Lynn
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Behavioral telehealth for anxious and depressed youth in low-resource clinics
A short, friendly program uses telehealth to help kids 8 and up in low-resource primary care settings feel less anxious and sad.
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Brief CBT for anxiety in VA primary care
This project offers short, problem-focused cognitive behavioral therapy to Veterans with anxiety in VA primary care, delivered in-clinic or by VA Video Connect at home.
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Brief Veteran-centered anxiety program in VA primary care
A short, Veteran-focused program delivered in VA primary care to help Veterans begin and benefit from anxiety treatment.
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Helping young people with anxiety and depression through telehealth in primary care
This project offers a brief behavioral therapy through telehealth to help young people with anxiety and depression who receive care at community health centers.
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Improving anxiety treatment for children in primary care settings
This study is all about helping doctors and nurses who care for kids learn new ways to help children with anxiety feel better, using a simple plan called the Anxiety Action Plan, so they can get the support they need right in their regular check-ups.
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Investigating how Medicare's Quality Payment Program affects treatment for depression and anxiety in primary care.
This study looks at how a program that pays doctors affects the way they screen and treat depression and anxiety in older adults on Medicare, with the goal of making it easier for them to get the mental health care they need.
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.