Self-Help Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)/Women Veterans Network (WoVeN) Study

Part of paid clinical trials in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sponsor
Boston University
Study ID
NCT07250061
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
FEMALE
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Self-Help Cognitive Processing Therapy — BEHAVIORAL
    Participants will be given a copy of the CPT self-help book that guides the trauma survivor through the same CPT protocol that is typically delivered by a therapist but supplemented with significant additional guidance and suggestions to aid the survivor in their journey toward recovery. This 10-week program also provides links to educational videos, fillable worksheets, and resources for the individual if they would like to seek additional care
  • Women Veterans Network (WoVeN) — BEHAVIORAL
    Participants will complete the CPT self-help book while also enrolled in a WoVeN group. WoVeN is a national, peer support network with groups led by women veterans, for women veterans. During this 8-week program, Peer Leaders who are trained by national experts in the WoVeN curriculum conduct weekly groups. Groups consist of approximately 4-8 women veterans, each lasting about 90 minutes, and focus on relevant themes such as life transitions, balance, hope, connections, trust, and esteem.
  • Treatment as Usual — OTHER
    Participants will receive psychoeducation about PTSD and different treatment options using the materials developed by the VA National Center for PTSD. They will also be provided with a referral list with guidance and suggestions and assistance in navigating the list and the referral process. All interventions must be completed within 10 weeks.

Study Details

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can have significant impairment on aspects of mental well-being (MWB) including functioning, loneliness, physical health, and quality of life. There are several evidence-based treatments (EBPs) effective in treating PTSD such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) which is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy that has been proven effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD. However, there are several barriers (e.g., lack of providers, waitlists, costs, stigma, disabilities that complicate travel) that can prevent someone from engaging with these treatments. Recently, a self-help version of CPT was created to help address these barriers; but little research has been conducted to test its efficacy. Further, less is know about how a peer support program may augment improvements from participating in an EBP. The Women Veteran Network (WoVeN), a peer support program designed for women veterans, has a manualized 8-week program that directly targets MWB. It has been found to help foster belongingness and connectedness, particularly in those suffering from PTSD and depression. The present study aims to establish the feasibility, acceptability and tolerability of a scalable, sustainable, and effective treatment option for trauma survivors with subthreshold or full PTSD. The overarching goal is to understand the effectiveness of a self-help version of an EBP (either alone or in combination with a peer support program) in reducing PTSD symptoms while also helping improve mental well-being, reduce barriers, and increase access to quality care within health disparity populations.

Key Dates

Start date
Mar 5, 2026
Status verified
May 2026
Primary completion
Mar 31, 2028
Completion
Mar 31, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
100 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Self-Help Cognitive Processing Therapy (shCPT)
    Participants randomized to this arm will receive Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and a self- help book.
  • Experimental: Women Veterans Network (WoVeN) + self-help CPT (BOTH)
    Participants randomized to this arm will receive Cognitive Processing Therapy by trained peer leaders from the Women Veterans Network (WoVeN).
  • Active Comparator: Treatment as Usual (TAU)
    Participants randomized to this arm will receive TAU.

Primary Outcome Measure

Clinician assessed PTSD Symptoms [ Time Frame: Pre intervention- baseline, Post intervention- 10 weeks, Follow-up- 28 weeks ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Fully online studyBostonMassachusetts02118
Tara E Galovski, PhD
[email protected]
857-364-4129

Find similar trials in Boston, MA

By condition
DepressionPTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
By specialty
PsychiatryMental healthBehavioral health
By research site
Fully online study· Boston, MA

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