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Increasing the Reach of Evidence-Based PTSD Treatment: Development and Clinical Trial of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Facilitated, Web-Based Written Exposure Therapy Training

This research study tests strategies to train behavioral health providers in Written Exposure Therapy (WET), an evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There are a number of evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, most behavioral health providers have not received training in these PTSD treatments and do not offer them regularly to their patients.

The researchers hope to learn about the optimal way to train behavioral providers in this type of treatment. This study is designed to determine the comparative effectiveness of different training strategies on key outcomes such as how much competency providers develop in the therapy and to how many patients they deliver the therapy. This study will help the researchers understand if we can help more providers learn to competently delivery Written Exposure Therapy by using strategies that are more convenient and cost less money, including web-based and AI-facilitated training supports. This study will also help us learn which training strategies work best for which providers so that in the future we can make personalized training recommendations.

This study will enroll behavioral health providers (i.e., professional therapists) and test a training program for Written Exposure Therapy that includes

1. an enhanced, web-based foundational training (web-based training plus integrated TherapyTrainer components) and
2. an AI training support tool for competency development (TherapyTrainer).

This randomized clinical trial will compare web/AI training, among providers who serve Veterans and Service Members, to standard Written Exposure Therapy training (i.e., human-delivered live workshop and consultation calls) on provider, patient, and cost-effectiveness outcomes. There is no cross-over of conditions. Providers in both conditions will be eligible to earn continuing education credits and approval as Written Exposure Therapy Providers who have completed competency based training and two training cases.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. mental health provider;
2. serves veterans and/or service members with PTSD (by self-report);
3. willing to participate in either live or web-based training.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. has already completed formal training in Written Exposure Therapy