RECRUITING

SMART Therapist Training: A Hybrid Factorial-SMART Design

Description

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is highly effective in randomized controlled trials, but its effectiveness drops substantially in standard clinical practice, largely due to therapist "drift" from fidelity to the protocol. What remains unknown is which components of CPT training yield high therapist fidelity. Thus, there is a critical need to use empirical approaches to identify the most effective components of CPT training and to develop an adaptive training model for CPT by testing sequences of empirically-supported training strategies. The long-term goal of this research is to develop a sustainable model of therapy training that is personalized to the needs of the therapist trainee. The overall objective of this application is to empirically optimize an adaptive model for CPT training. The rationale is that developing an adaptive training model will improve efficiency and personalization, yield higher fidelity, and ultimately improve Veteran outcomes. We expect that completion of this project will produce an adaptive CPT training program that yields high therapist fidelity. Improving CPT fidelity in VHA will have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Veterans with PTSD.

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is highly effective in randomized controlled trials, but its effectiveness drops substantially in standard clinical practice, largely due to therapist "drift" from fidelity to the protocol. What remains unknown is which components of CPT training yield high therapist fidelity. Thus, there is a critical need to use empirical approaches to identify the most effective components of CPT training and to develop an adaptive training model for CPT by testing sequences of empirically-supported training strategies. The long-term goal of this research is to develop a sustainable model of therapy training that is personalized to the needs of the therapist trainee. The overall objective of this application is to empirically optimize an adaptive model for CPT training. The rationale is that developing an adaptive training model will improve efficiency and personalization, yield higher fidelity, and ultimately improve Veteran outcomes. We expect that completion of this project will produce an adaptive CPT training program that yields high therapist fidelity. Improving CPT fidelity in VHA will have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Veterans with PTSD.

SMART Therapist Training: A Hybrid Factorial-SMART Design

SMART Therapist Training: A Hybrid Factorial-SMART Design

Condition
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Palo Alto

VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, Palo Alto, California, United States, 94304-1207

Ann Arbor

VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48105-2303

Minneapolis

Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55417-2309

Cincinnati

Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, 45220-2213

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Participants must be licensed mental health clinicians or a mental health trainee in VA service (e.g., practicum students, psychology interns, postdoctoral fellows) whose formal job responsibilities include the provision of psychotherapy services to Veterans on a regular basis
  • * Participants must be able to participate for 9 months.
  • * Participants must work in a setting where CPT may be implemented (12 weekly 60-minute individual sessions or 90-minute group sessions).
  • * Participants must have local/supervisor support to implement CPT and fully participate in all training and consultation activities.
  • * Participating trainees (e.g. psychology interns) on a 6-month training rotation must have permission from their supervisors to continue the study into their next rotation.
  • * Participant is not a licensed mental health clinician
  • * Participant is already certified in CPT

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

VA Office of Research and Development,

Rebecca Kaufman Sripada, PhD MS, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI

Study Record Dates

2030-08-30