LGBTQ+-affirming virtual therapy combining CBT and expressive writing for trauma and alcohol use
Developing a Telehealth Intervention for Alcohol and Trauma Among LGBTQ+ People
This study will test a brief, virtual LGBTQ+-affirming therapy that combines cognitive behavioral techniques and expressive writing to see if it helps LGBTQ+ adults with PTSD and problematic alcohol use.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Rhode Island Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Providence, Rhode Island) |
| Trial ID | NCT07217795 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The project has two parts: first, researchers will gather input from LGBTQ+ community members to adapt the program so it is inclusive and relevant; second, eligible participants may be offered the adapted brief therapy delivered virtually by LGBTQ+-affirming clinicians. The intervention pairs cognitive behavioral therapy strategies with expressive writing exercises and will be compared to a wait-list control. Participants will be screened for safety (for example, severe withdrawal risk, active psychosis, or mania are exclusionary) and outcomes will include PTSD symptoms, alcohol use, and self-efficacy measures. The program is delivered remotely through the University of Rhode Island team.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are LGBTQ+ adults who have experienced trauma and currently use alcohol but do not need medical detoxification and do not have active psychosis or uncontrolled mania.
Not a fit: People who require alcohol detoxification, have active psychosis or severe mania, or who are currently in intensive alcohol or trauma-focused treatment are unlikely to benefit from this brief intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce PTSD symptoms and risky drinking while improving coping and self-efficacy in LGBTQ+ people who have experienced trauma.
How similar studies have performed: Cognitive behavioral therapy and expressive writing have shown benefits for PTSD and alcohol problems in prior work, but brief, virtual adaptations specifically tailored for LGBTQ+ people are relatively novel and less well tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Aim 1: Sexual Minority Women and Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals -Not meeting inclusion criteria Aim 1: Providers -Not meeting inclusion criteria Aim 2: Sexual Minority Women and Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals * Not meeting inclusion criteria OR any of the following: * Reporting current mental health treatment ≥1 day/month * Receiving Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in the past 3 months (note: participants are not ineligible if they seek concomitant care after enrollment) * Reporting current alcohol or drug use disorder treatment, except mutual self-help (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous) or current PTSD/trauma-focused treatment * Need for alcohol detoxification, defined as score ≥15 on the adapted self-report Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol - Revised (CIWA-Ar) * Active psychosis, defined as score ≥1 on the psychosis subscale of the Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale - Revised (BASIS-R) * Active mania, defined as score ≥6 on the Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale (ASRM) * Active suicidality, defined as score ≥22 on the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS) * Currently legally mandated to attend treatment
Where this trial is running
Providence, Rhode Island
- University of Rhode Island — Providence, Rhode Island, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jillian Scheer, PhD
- Email: jillian.scheer@uri.edu
- Phone: 401-874-2193
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.