Stepped Care for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Study

Launched by BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER · Apr 21, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Stepped Care for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Study is looking to find effective ways to help people with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), especially in primary care settings where many patients from diverse backgrounds may not receive the treatment they need. This study will test a combination of digital mental health tools and brief therapy sessions aimed at improving the emotional and interpersonal skills of participants. The goal is to create a treatment plan that is easy for patients to access and use, allowing them to get help in a way that fits into their lives.

To be eligible for the study, participants need to be at least 18 years old, a patient at Boston Medical Center, and have access to a computer or smartphone. They should also be comfortable receiving treatment in English or Spanish and be able to read at a 4th-grade level. Participants will be screened to confirm they have experienced trauma and have a diagnosis of PTSD. Those who take part can expect to engage in online and brief therapy sessions that are designed to be supportive and helpful. It’s important to note that people currently receiving therapy or those at high risk for suicide will not be included in the study.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion criteria:
• • Assessed at pre-screening
• • Boston Medical Center primary care patient
• • At least 18 years of age
• • Access to computer or mobile device
• • Able to receive treatments in English or Spanish
• • Able to read at 4th grade level
• • Assessed at baseline
• • Endorsement of Criterion A trauma using the Life Events Checklist for the DSM-5 (LEC-5), assessed at baseline
• • PTSD diagnosis, confirmed by the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for the DSM-5 (CAPS-5) assessed at baseline
• • Clinically appropriate for outpatient level of care
• • Stable on psychotropic medication for \>4 weeks
• Exclusion criteria:
• • Assessed at pre-screening
• • • Patient is currently engaged in clinician-administered therapy
• • Assessed at baseline (clinician interview)
• • Patient is not clinically appropriate for outpatient level of care.
• • Acute risk for suicidal thoughts or behaviors, assessed by the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, administered by research clinician at baseline.