Non-Trauma Intervention to Treat PTSD for Veterans and Service Members Suffering From a TBI

Non-Trauma Intervention to Treat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for Veterans and Service Members Suffering From a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The investigators want to test a treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) especially designed for military veterans and service members with mild or moderate traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and PTSD. The treatment will include individual psychotherapy sessions to manage PTSD.

The objective of this study is to test a non-trauma intervention for PTSD tailored to military veterans and service members with TBI called Non-Trauma Treatment for TBI and comorbid PTSD (T3 PTSD).

Aim1:

Conduct a pilot study of the non-trauma intervention for comorbid TBI and PTSD in a sample of n = 20 veterans and service members seeking treatment at Fort Hood, Texas.

Aim2:

Establish the acceptability and feasibility of the non-trauma intervention in service members and veterans.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Ability of participant to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document based on interviewer assessment and clinical judgement.
2. Any veteran or active duty service member (age 18 or above) diagnosed with mild or moderate TBI as determined by the Ohio State University Brain Injury Identification Method
3. Participant meets diagnostic criteria for PTSD based on Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) interview as described by the National Center for PTSD which includes at least one Criterion B symptom, one Criterion C symptom, two Criterion D symptoms, and two Criterion E symptoms as well as meeting Criterions F and G.
4. Ability to read, write, and speak English based on interviewer assessment and clinical judgement.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participant is actively engaged in a behavioral intervention primarily targeting PTSD.
2. Participant has a psychiatric problem that warrants immediate treatment as indicated in the electronic health record, flagged during testing, or confirmed by a clinician through screening or review of clinical notes.
3. Participant demonstrates significant cognitive impairment that could impact treatment adherence/benefit based on interviewer assessment and clinical judgement.