LGBTQ+-affirming virtual therapy combining CBT and expressive writing for trauma and alcohol use
Official title: Developing a Telehealth Intervention for Alcohol and Trauma Among LGBTQ+ People
Run by University of Rhode Island · NCT07217795 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Rhode Island Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Providence, Rhode Island) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 30, 2025 |
| Main results expected | November 2026 |
| Study ends | September 2028 |
| Registry record updated | December 9, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07217795 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
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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
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.