Miltary Social Work Continuing Education Program

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PTSD: National Center for PTSD

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Continuing Education

Continuing Education

This section brings together free in-depth Continuing Education resources for the Professional community concerned with trauma.

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Courses all participants will be able to fully comprehend. Content includes concepts that are considered basic skills/knowledge for those in the field.

Courses participants may more fully comprehend if they have at least some work experience in the topic.

Courses include concepts requiring a high-level of previous educational background or work experience in the topic.

PTSD 101 courses are one-hour presentations by a faculty of recognized experts in the field of traumatic stress. Content is appropriate for both seasoned PTSD professionals and those new to PTSD treatment or care for military personnel.

The Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) Series provides expert training based on the latest revisions to the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD.

Clinical Skills Training courses are multi-hour presentations aimed at teaching specific clinical techniques for treating patients with PTSD.

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• Date Created: 08/ 1/2022
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, PTSD Consultation Lecture Series

Clinicians work to find innovative ways to increase awareness about effective PTSD treatments, improve access and find ways to keep clients engaged in treatment. AboutFace is an extensive catalog of video interviews of Veterans, clinicians and family members who share PTSD recovery stories that can be used to help clients learn about PTSD, explore treatment options, and hear from others who have been there.

This course provides an overview of the site with examples of ways AboutFace videos may be useful for education, training and clinical care. Additionally, the authors present research findings and future research directions for AboutFace.

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• Date Created: 07/27/2022
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, PTSD Consultation Lecture Series

Including family members in a Veteran's course of PTSD treatment may be beneficial. However, it is relatively rare for Veterans to have one or more family-inclusive sessions during their PTSD treatment.

This course provides information from the perspectives of Veterans, family members and VA clinicians regarding family-inclusive care. The author discusses Veterans' and family members' goals for family-inclusive PTSD treatment. Providers' views are also described, including discussion of commonly cited barriers. The course offers advice about how and when to discuss family involvement in care and outlines brief protocols that have been developed specifically for Veterans and their loved ones.

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• Date Created: 07/26/2022
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, PTSD Consultation Lecture Series

There is evidence that eating disorders are prevalent among male and female Veterans; however, they remain relatively understudied in this population. Individuals with eating disorders have high rates of comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Military-specific traumas, as well as the military's strict weight and fitness requirements, may make Veterans particularly vulnerable to eating disorders.

This course reviews current research findings on eating disorders and PTSD in Veterans. The author reviews best practices for assessment of eating disorders and reviews treatment implications.

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• Date Created: 07/26/2022
• Time to Complete: 1.5 hours
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, PTSD Consultation Lecture Series

Most individuals with PTSD also meet criteria for at least one additional mental health diagnosis. However, there is a scarcity of research, information and clinical guidance for individuals that meet diagnostic criteria PTSD and co-occurring obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

This presentation helps to bridge that gap by highlighting emerging literature on co-occurring PTSD and OCD. The author provides tools for effective differential diagnosis of PTSD and OCD and outlines clinical tips and guidance for effective treatment when a client meets criteria for both PTSD and OCD.

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• Date Created: 07/25/2022
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, PTSD Consultation Lecture Series

PTSD and difficulty sleeping commonly co-occur and sleep problems may persist after successful treatment of PTSD. Independent evaluation of sleep difficulties for those with PTSD is needed as sleep disorders often require separate intervention. Research has limited guidance or established evidence-based protocols for treatment when PTSD and insomnia are comorbid.

This course reviews the evidence for integrated, sequential and concurrent treatment options for co-occurring PTSD and insomnia. The author highlights cultural and clinical considerations related to the assessment and treatment of these comorbid disorders to help inform case conceptualization and shared decision-making.

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• Date Created: 07/21/2022
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, PTSD Consultation Lecture Series

PTSD symptoms present barriers to positive relationships. Resulting loneliness and isolation have been identified as risk factors for additional negative mental health outcomes. Social support has been shown to mitigate the negative effects of loneliness and isolation. This course explores ways that providers can incorporate effective elements of social support into PTSD clinical care.

As example, the author describes the rationale for the Women Veterans Network (WoVeN), a manualized peer-support program. Initial evaluation showed significant improvements in PTSD and/or depression, overall social support, and other outcomes.

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• Date Created: 07/15/2022
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, PTSD Consultation Lecture Series

Most individuals with PTSD have additional mental health diagnoses which may impact treatment planning. A common question is whether PTSD and co-occurring conditions should be treated concurrently or sequentially. In addition, the presence of comorbidities may raise questions as to how well complex clients can handle evidence-based treatment for PTSD in which trauma processing is required.

This course reviews the research evidence and recommendations from clinical practice guidelines regarding best treatment practices for PTSD when comorbidities are present. Both psychotherapy and pharmacological treatments are discussed as well as assessment strategies and potential complications that may accompany comorbidities. The authors focus on some of the most common co-occurring conditions.

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• Date Created: 07/13/2022
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, PTSD Consultation Lecture Series

PTSD during pregnancy has been found to increase risk for negative perinatal outcomes for both mother and baby, including risk for preterm birth, low infant birthweight and postpartum depression. Research among women Veterans is revealing similar patterns, as well as finding a negative impact of military sexual trauma (MST).

This course reviews research on the associations between trauma, PTSD and perinatal health. The presenter discusses potential neurobiological mechanisms among women with PTSD as well as treatments for perinatal PTSD and postpartum depression.

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• Date Created: 07/ 8/2022
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, PTSD Consultation Lecture Series

Individual placement and support (IPS) is an evidence-based approach to helping individuals with mental health diagnoses obtain competitive employment. IPS prioritizes rapid job search for employment opportunities along with integrated mental health care and ongoing support.

This course reviews the research support for IPS, including a large VA Cooperative Study of Veterans with PTSD that reported superior outcomes with IPS compared to usual care vocational rehabilitation. The presenter discusses cost efficacy, return on investment and dissemination of this best practice.

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• Date Created: 07/ 6/2022
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, PTSD Consultation Lecture Series

First-line, evidence-based treatments for PTSD have been successfully implemented in low-income samples and with persons of color. However, cultural and systemic factors may interfere with effective treatment delivery.

This course describes several culturally-responsive strategies to consider when conducting Prolonged Exposure (PE) or Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) with Latinx patients to improve clinical outcomes, such as building trust and rapport, conducting culturally-informed assessment, psychoeducation, optimizing exposures, challenging beliefs with cultural humility, and problem-solving common barriers to treatment engagement.

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• Date Created: 06/28/2022
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, PTSD Consultation Lecture Series

Trauma is related to neuropsychiatric conditions that result in cognitive dysfunction, which can lead to functional impairment, disability and poor quality of life. This course describes Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) and Cognitive Symptom Management and Rehabilitation Therapy (CogSMART) for individuals with neuropsychiatric conditions, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and PTSD.

This course describes CCT and CogSMART strategies to improve cognitive functioning. The presenter reviews research findings, demonstrates key components of the interventions, and discusses clinical aspects of intervention delivery.

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• Date Created: 06/24/2022
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, PTSD Consultation Lecture Series

Evidence-based treatment guidelines help clinicians provide effective PTSD care; however, mental health providers may experience difficulties if they have negative reactions to patients' sociocultural views. Examples range from a clinician disagreeing with a patient's political views to a clinician being offended by a patient's use of racist language.

The authors discuss how to develop a concept of patients' sociocultural views within and outside of a trauma framework. Case conceptualization strategies are presented to help providers decide when and how to address patient views of sociocultural concerns within evidence-based PTSD care.

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• Date Created: 08/20/2021
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, PTSD Consultation Lecture Series

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a broad range of challenges for mental health providers. This course offers practical strategies for providers to manage self-care and to support coworkers.

The author presents guidance about how to deal with uncertainty, how to assess current needs and priorities, and how to help manage the cumulative stress of the pandemic. The importance of tailored approaches to self-care are discussed as well as tips for implementing programs designed to support well-being in complex, rapidly changing circumstances to accommodate varying levels of stress.

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• Date Created: 08/ 6/2021
• Time to Complete: Varies by course
• Credits: APA, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: Clinical Skills Training

The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) is the gold standard for PTSD assessment and diagnosis for both military and civilian trauma survivors.

The 4 courses in this curriculum allow clinicians, trainees and researchers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the measure and its administration. Parts 2 through 4 include simulators that allow interaction with a virtual patient as part of the training. See the Guidance PDF which includes crucial information for navigating the course interface, working with the virtual patient and scoring the assessment.

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• Date Created: 07/ 8/2021
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits:
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series:

Not all persons with PTSD or alcohol use disorder (AUD) benefit from prazosin. This course reviews the research for the efficacy of prazosin in reducing PTSD trauma nightmares, sleep disruption and daytime hyperarousal, as well as research supporting prazosin efficacy for AUD.

Emerging evidence suggests that the presence of physiologic and clinical signs and symptoms consistent with increased noradrenergic signaling provide a personalized medicine approach to identifying those individuals most likely to benefit from prazosin treatment. The author describes these clinical characteristics.

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• Date Created: 03/ 5/2021
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, PTSD Consultation Lecture Series

As a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, telemental health (TMH) delivery of evidence-based psychotherapies for PTSD is more in demand. This course provides a review of research and shared clinical experience of using TMH for PTSD care.

Modifications for providing PTSD therapy via TMH are discussed, focusing on recommendations specific to COVID-19. Topics include provider telework comfort, creating an effective therapeutic alliance, setting therapeutic environment expectations, patient safety management, trauma-focused treatment considerations and adaptations, and tools to support patients.

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• Date Created: 03/ 3/2021
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, PTSD Consultation Lecture Series

Veteran suicide remains a significant public health concern and those diagnosed with PTSD are potentially at elevated risk. This course reviews prevalence for suicidal ideation and attempt among Veterans, including an overview of risk factors.

The relationship between suicide and PTSD is explained using theory-driven frameworks, with attention to the transition from suicidal thoughts to behavior.

The author presents methods for tailoring suicide risk assessment, noting challenges and risk stratification methods. The course includes clinical strategies, including acute suicide risk intervention, safety plan development, and addressing suicide risk within the context of evidence-based PTSD treatment.

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• Date Created: 03/ 1/2021
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, PTSD Consultation Lecture Series

Veterans are becoming more culturally diverse and as the population of Veterans with PTSD reflect this diversity, mental health providers need to continue to develop clinical skills that ensure the services they deliver are effective.

This course provides an overview of how to utilize a collaboratively developed case formulation to inform and guide PTSD treatment as an initial step to the provision of culturally responsive care. The author presents multiple approaches to assist therapists in addressing issues of diversity within evidence-based PTSD treatment.

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• Date Created: 10/ 8/2020
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

2017 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD recommends evidence-based, trauma-focused psychotherapies as first-line treatment for PTSD. Emerging research is demonstrating support for the acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of delivering evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) for PTSD in a massed model. Studies examining more intensive massed models suggest higher treatment retention, treatment completion and reduced likelihood of avoidance.

This course reviews the research supporting massed PTSD treatment models and implementation considerations within a VA PTSD Clinical Team.

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• Date Created: 10/ 8/2020
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

Knowledge of the methodological considerations for interpreting the scientific literature on psychotherapy is important for developing recommendations for evidence-based care. This course reviews the 2017 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline recommendations and provides an overview of the relative effectiveness, dropout rates and remission rates of PTSD treatments compared to other disorders (e.g., depression).

In addition to listing areas of emerging science in PTSD psychotherapy, this course offers potential strategies for enhancing treatment effectiveness.

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• Date Created: 10/ 6/2020
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

Insomnia symptoms may be associated with increased symptoms of PTSD and depression and associated with increased suicidal ideation.

This course reviews the impact of sleep disturbances on medical and psychiatric concerns and provides an overview of treatments for insomnia, including a comparison of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and sedative-hypnotic medications. The author also presents research supporting the benefits of CBT-I for pain management, PTSD, depression and suicide prevention.

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• Date Created: 06/30/2020
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

Older adults with PTSD face unique challenges with co-occurring physical and mental health problems in addition to cognitive decline. Age-related factors can interact with PTSD and associated problems in ways that carry implications for research and clinical care.

This course reviews the epidemiology of PTSD in older adults and describes the role of aging and cognitive impairment among older patients. The author presents recommendations and cautions for assessment and treatment in older adults with PTSD. Potential next steps for research are also discussed.

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• Date Created: 10/ 5/2020
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Basic
• Course Series: PTSD 101

PTSD is different from other psychological disorders because it has a known etiology, a traumatic event. This overview course provides a detailed description of the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, risk factors and evidence-based treatments for PTSD.

This course includes video clips of Veterans describing their PTSD symptoms and clinicians explaining first-line treatment approaches, including Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Links to free resources for patients and providers are included.

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• Date Created: 09/25/2020
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

Written Exposure Therapy (WET) is a brief, 5-session exposure-based psychotherapy for PTSD that is recommended by the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline. WET differs from other trauma-focused psychotherapies in its cost-efficiency and low treatment drop out.

This course reviews the theoretical mechanisms and development of WET, presenting the supporting and on-going research for WET as an evidence-based treatment for PTSD. The authors provide a comprehensive description of the WET protocol and its delivery and describe the type of patient who would be a good candidate.

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• Date Created: 07/30/2020
• Time to Complete: 1.5 hours
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: MISSION Act

This 1.5-hour accredited course was designed to provide community mental health providers with training on key information related to the care of Veterans who experienced military sexual trauma (MST), which is associated with both physical and mental health conditions.

The goal of this course is to help you enhance mental health care by reviewing the specific health care needs of MST survivors and by highlighting strategies to improve assessment, treatment and patient-provider communication. This course also includes interactive exercises and videos to help you better understand the impact of MST and links to key resources.

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• Date Created: 07/28/2020
• Time to Complete: .5 hours
• Credits: ANCC, ACCME, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: MISSION Act

This 0.5-hour accredited course was designed to provide community medical professionals with brief training on key information related to the care of Veterans who experienced military sexual trauma (MST), which is associated with both physical and mental health conditions.

The goal of the course is to help you enhance patient care by reviewing the specific health care needs of MST survivors and by highlighting strategies to improve patient-provider communication. Links to key resources to help you in your practice are included.

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• Date Created: 07/ 1/2020
• Time to Complete: 3 hours
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Basic
• Course Series: MISSION Act

This three-hour accredited course is appropriate for all community providers treating Veterans with PTSD. Learn about PTSD diagnosis and treatment, clinical considerations for PTSD and co-occurring conditions and access resources that community providers can use in their work with Veterans.

The course includes interviews with Veterans describing PTSD symptoms and brief documentaries on the most highly recommended trauma-focused psychotherapies for PTSD in the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline. It was developed under the auspices of the MISSION Act.

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• Date Created: 07/ 1/2020
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

Prolonged Exposure (PE) is recommended as a first-line treatment for PTSD in numerous guidelines, including the revised (2017) VA/DoD guideline. This course reviews evidence supporting PE, emotional processing theory and the mechanisms of PE, and use of PE with patients who have co-occurring conditions.

Using patient and provider videos, this course provides a session overview of PE including in vivo exposure, imaginal exposure and processing examples.

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• Date Created: 07/ 1/2020
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is recommended as a first-line treatment for PTSD in numerous clinical practice guidelines, including the revised (2017) VA/DoD guideline. This course reviews evidence for various CPT modalitiesâ€"including CPT with and without a written account, group and individual formats, and with people who have co-occurring conditions.

Pretreatment assessment issues are discussed along with examples of how to describe CPT to potential clients. Using patient videos, the course provides a session overview of CPT, offering illustrations of how to facilitate processing the trauma and challenge inaccurate thoughts.

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• Date Created: 06/30/2020
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

PTSD and substance use disorders (SUDs) are very common co-occurring conditions, with each diagnosis increasing the risk for having the other. This comorbidity is associated with a number of complications, including worse treatment outcomes.

This course reviews the treatment research for concurrent PTSD and SUD, including future directions, and reviews the revised (2017) VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline recommendations for both PTSD and SUD. The authors describe how to use shared decision-making and other patient-centered strategies to promote engagement and retention in treatment.

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• Date Created: 05/14/2020
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Basic
• Course Series: Clinical Skills Training

Mobile mental health apps have been available from the National Center for PTSD since 2011, yet uptake among VA providers is inconsistent. This course aims to increase provider familiarity with, understanding of and use of available apps to supplement care for Veterans with PTSD and related concerns.

This training demonstrates the clinical integration of mobile apps into mental health care. Videos discuss security and privacy, informed consent and integration into medical records and ways to collaborate with family members to support Veterans' treatment goals.

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• Date Created: 02/10/2020
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, ACPE, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

The 2017 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD recommends several trauma-focused psychotherapies as first-line treatment for PTSD: Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Prolonged Exposure (PE).

This course describes CPT, EMDR and PE, explaining the essential components of each. A case vignette is used to illustrate the clinical delivery of each of these psychotherapies. In addition, key considerations for offering trauma-focused psychotherapy within a shared decision-making model are examined. Resources to support the delivery of and Veteran engagement in CPT, EMDR, and CPT are included.

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• Date Created: 02/10/2020
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, ACPE, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

The link between PTSD and violence is complex. Concurrent factors, such as alcohol misuse, and specific PTSD symptoms are important to consider. Psychosocial protective factors have also been shown to be related to reduced risk of aggression.

This course describes prevalence of violence in Veteran populations, noting that most Veterans do not have problems with violence. Risk assessment tools are discussed to provide an evidence-based approach for improving clinical assessment and risk management of violence in Veterans with PTSD.

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• Date Created: 02/10/2020
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, ACPE, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, Clinical Skills Training

Telemental health (TMH) technology can be used to address common barriers to care for Veterans with PTSD, such as distance, scarcity of trained providers and stigma. Flexible models of care that utilize technology, such as home-based clinical video teleconferencing (CVT), are a viable solution.

This course will describe how CVT can be used to deliver evidence-based treatment for PTSD. Research updates and clinical benefits of telemental health for PTSD will be discussed.

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• Date Created: 03/31/2020
• Time to Complete: 4.5 hours
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: Clinical Skills Training

After disasters or adverse events, many people who are experiencing stress reactions may not self-identify a need for mental health support or self-refer for care. SPR is an evidence-based model of core skills aimed to help reduce distress and improve functioning.

This course reviews core skills of SPR and their flexible application. Expert tips and case studies are included in videos and sample scripts for use in the field are available. Tips for working with children after disasters are also offered.

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• Date Created: 03/29/2019
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Advanced
• Course Series: PTSD 101

Co-occurring PTSD and psychotic spectrum disorders present unique barriers for providers. This course reviews PTSD assessment and collaborative treatment planning for patients with psychosis.

Implementation considerations for evidence-based PTSD treatments are also reviewed.

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• Date Created: 03/28/2019
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, Clinical Practice Guideline

Being able to treat Veterans with PTSD in primary care increases the likelihood that they will engage in treatment that helps. The VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD was revised in 2017 with implications for primary care providers, including medical and mental health practitioners.

This course reviews the PTSD assessment and treatment recommendations relevant for primary care providers and describes resources available to support their work screening and treating Veterans with PTSD.

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• Date Created: 03/29/2019
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, Clinical Practice Guideline

The VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD was revised in 2017 with changes that impact the clinical care of Veterans. Current evidence supports trauma-focused psychotherapy as the most effective treatment for PTSD.

This course reviews the PTSD treatment recommendations related to psychotherapy, including the use of shared decision making and clinical implications.

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• Date Created: 03/27/2019
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101, Clinical Practice Guideline

The VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD was revised in 2017 with changes that impact the clinical care of Veterans. Currently, the evidence is clear that trauma-focused psychotherapy is more effective than medication for treating PTSD.

This course reviews the PTSD treatment recommendations related to medication, highlighting revisions from the previous edition of the guideline.

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• Date Created: 03/21/2019
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: APA, ASWB, ACPE, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

PTSD is a well-established risk factor for suicidal behavior. Myths and misconceptions about suicide exist among clinicians. In light of these myths and misconceptions, many clinicians are reluctant to provide empirically-supported treatments to patients with PTSD who also report suicidal thoughts and/or a history of suicidal behaviors.

This course reviews data that supports the safe and effective treatment of PTSD among those with suicide risk. The course describes recommendation for empirically-supported trauma therapies to treat suicidal patients with PTSD.

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• Date Created: 03/21/2019
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: APA, ASWB, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Advanced
• Course Series: PTSD 101

The effective treatment of PTSD is limited by the small number of validated pharmacotherapy options. Deeper understanding of the neurobiology of PTSD is informing the development of new medication strategies.

This course describes the disturbances in brain noradrenaline signaling and alterations in serotonin to explain links to the effectiveness of antidepressants used for PTSD. The role of glutamate systems in brain neuroplasticity is explained to introduce the potential of new medication development. Finally, the course describes the rapid-acting antidepressant effects of the NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist, ketamine, and its application to PTSD treatment.

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• Date Created: 07/ 5/2018
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: APA, ASWB, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Basic
• Course Series: PTSD 101

Clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of PTSD support the use of shared decision making. However, few providers receive training on how to collaborate with patients around health care decisions.

This course introduces providers to a practical model of shared decision making that can be used in clinical practice with PTSD patients. The course includes an overview of research highlighting the potential benefits of shared decision making for PTSD treatment as well as behavioral examples of how clinicians can engage in each step of this model.

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• Date Created: 07/ 5/2018
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: APA, ASWB, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

PTSD can impact the quality of family and social relationships. Research indicates that some Veterans desire family involvement in their treatment for PTSD due to this impact.

This course provides an overview of Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) for PTSD, an evidence-based approach for treating PTSD that includes a family member in treatment. The course reviews the therapy sessions of CBCT as well as research findings that support how this treatment can help Veterans with PTSD.

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• Date Created: 11/14/2017
• Time to Complete: 1.5 hours
• Credits: ANCC, ASWB, CA BBS, ACCME, NBCC
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

Experiences of sexual harassment and sexual assault during military service, referred to as military sexual trauma (MST), are associated with a variety of mental health conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

This course discusses best-practice recommendations for sensitively asking about MST experiences and responding to disclosures. Treatment of MST-related PTSD and other mental health difficulties is discussed. A video of providers sharing insights and strategies is also included. No prior knowledge of MST is required.

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• Date Created: 11/14/2017
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, CA BBS, ACCME, NBCC
• Skill Level: Basic
• Course Series: PTSD 101

Transitioning to and from a combat deployment or leaving military service can be a challenging process. When a Service member or Veteran is experiencing symptoms of PTSD during these transitions, the process of reintegration can be much more complicated.

This online course describes the stresses associated with different phases of the deployment cycle military families. The author gives particular attention to the impact of PTSD on the process of reintegration following combat deployments.

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• Date Created: 11/13/2017
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, CA BBS, ACCME, NBCC
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

Among OEF/OIF Veterans receiving care in VA, it is likely that those with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) also have a diagnosis of PTSD.

This course provides a brief overview of two treatment studies for co-occurring PTSD and TBI: the SCORE Cognitive Rehabilitation Trial and Prolonged Exposure (PE). The author describes factors affecting treatment outcomes and compares the effectiveness of the two approaches.

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• Date Created: 08/26/2016
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Basic

Serving as a health care provider may result in unique stress reactions, especially for those working with traumatized individuals.

This course provides information about burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS) for health care providers and, in particular, those who work with Veterans and others who have experienced trauma. Practical, easy to implement strategies for offsetting the effects of burnout and work-related SES are reviewed, including tips on knowing when and how to seek help.

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• Date Created: 08/ 1/2014
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, ACPE, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

Older adults with PTSD face unique challenges in regard to comorbid problems, polypharmacy, and cognitive decline. This course provides general information about PTSD and best psychopharmacology treatment practices in this group.

This course reviews prevalence and incidence of PTSD in older adults and describes the role of aging and cognitive impairment in PTSD. Based upon data primarily from Veteran samples, recommendations and cautions for psychopharmacology in older adults with PTSD are presented.

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• Date Created: 03/ 2/2017
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: APA, ASWB
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

The relationship between PTSD and suicidal behavior is complex. This course provides an overview of the scope of Veteran suicide, reviews literature on PTSD and suicide, and presents a conceptual model of suicide in the context of PTSD.

This course offers practical recommendations for suicide risk assessment and therapeutic risk management and presents treatment implications for PTSD among individuals with suicide risk.

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• Date Created: 03/ 1/2017
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, ACPE
• Skill Level: Advanced
• Course Series: PTSD 101

The association between PTSD, cognitive impairment, and behavioral problems among older adults is complex. This course reviews the epidemiology and significance of PTSD in regard to aging, highlighting factors that suggest a bidirectional relationship between PTSD and dementia.

The course includes recommended PTSD assessment practices for individuals with dementia and outlines treatment recommendations for those with co-occurring PTSD and dementia.

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• Date Created: 01/10/2017
• Time to Complete: 1.5 hours
• Credits: APA, ASWB, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Basic
• Course Series: PTSD 101

A lack of cultural competence among providers can impact treatment seeking and compliance among Service members and Veterans with PTSD. This course addresses such concerns by providing information about how the influence of military culture may impact provider world view, assessment, and treatment planning.

This course includes video to illustrate how developing core competencies related to military culture can improve rapport, compliance, and adherence to treatment among Service members and Veterans with PTSD.

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• Date Created: 09/ 7/2016
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: APA, ASWB
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

Clinicians and patients may be initially resistant to PTSD psychotherapies. This course reviews the evidence base and utilization data for PTSD psychotherapies available in Veterans Affairs and defines patient engagement.

The author discusses multiple levels of engagement and demonstrates strategies to increase provider and patient engagement.

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• Date Created: 06/16/2011
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, CA BBS
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

Aging Veterans comprise a large part of patient care in the VA. This course reviews literature explaining the prevalence and longitudinal course of PTSD in older adults and describes the potential impact of aging on PTSD. Information about best practices for assessment and treatment of PTSD in older adults in included.

This course presents video clips of older Veterans describing their experiences to illustrate the importance of aging processes in PTSD.

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• Date Created: 06/28/2016
• Time to Complete: 45 minutes
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

Traumatic exposure can affect many aspects of well-being and functioning, including physical health. This course explains a multidimensional model of trauma, PTSD, and physical health and discusses mechanisms through which PTSD could promote poor health.

The author reviews clinical implications of the relationship between trauma and poor health, as well as areas for future study. Continuing education credits are not available for this course.

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• Date Created: 06/ 6/2016
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: APA, ASWB, ACCME
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

DSM-5 includes a dissociative subtype of PTSD focusing on symptoms of depersonalization and derealization. This subtype has been associated with high trauma exposure, childhood adversities, childhood onset of PTSD, greater re-experiencing, and suicidality. This course describes the etiology and mechanisms underlying symptomatology.

Clinicians can use information in this course for psychoeducation. This course includes case examples to discuss assessment of dissociative symptomatology and describe targeted treatment interventions.

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• Date Created: 02/ 3/2016
• Time to Complete: 1 hour webinar
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC
• Skill Level: Basic
• Course Series: PTSD Consultation Lecture Series

The PTSD Consultation Program Lecture Series is a free, online webinar offered monthly that covers topics such as PTSD diagnosis, treatment, and common co-occurring conditions.

Presentations focus on clinical implications of recent research and best practices for treating PTSD. Presenters are typically expert clinicians and researchers in VA.

Continuing education credits are available for live webinars.

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• Date Created: 09/17/2021
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: APA, ASWB, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Course Series: PTSD 101

Psychological assessment involves collecting data from different sources that must be evaluated and integrated. This course provides a practical guide to assessing PTSD. The author describes the purpose and importance of screening for PTSD and monitoring symptom change. In addition, the best tools for these purposes, as well as for diagnosing PTSD, are reviewed. DSM-5 measures are the focus.

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• Date Created: 12/ 2/2015
• Time to Complete: 4 2-hour modules
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, CA BBS, ACCME, NBCC
• Skill Level: Basic

Understanding military culture can support clinicians seeking to tailor clinical practices for military patients. This course, jointly developed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, describes military organizations and roles, reviews military-specific stressors, and provides treatment tools for best practices.

This interactive course includes video to illustrate how core competencies in military culture improve the therapeutic alliance and support effective treatment planning for Service members and Veterans.

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• Date Created: 05/21/2015
• Time to Complete: 5 1-hour modules
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, CA BBS, ACCME, ACPE, NBCC
• Skill Level: Intermediate

One of the most common complaints among those with PTSD is sleep disturbance. Sleep problems may lead to exacerbation of PTSD and other comorbid symptoms. This course provides information on PTSD and sleep problems, the advantages and disadvantages of pharmacological and cognitive behavioral interventions, and different ways these interventions can be implemented.

This course includes videos that demonstrate assessment of sleep-related problems and the tools included in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia.

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• Date Created: 12/ 2/2014
• Time to Complete: 10 hours
• Credits: APA, CA BBS, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate

Learn how to provide Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE) to your patients. This training has a particular focus on treatment of military and combat-related PTSD, although the principles and methods work well for any type of trauma that results in PTSD.

This interactive training program includes step-by-step instructions for each component of PE, printable scripts, and video demonstrations with expert clinicians.

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• Date Created: 08/ 1/2014
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Credits: APA, ASWB, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Advanced
• Course Series: PTSD 101

Guilt is common following trauma and is sometimes challenging to treat. This course explains the relationship between trauma and guilt and reviews how to assess traumatic guilt. The authors describe treatment considerations for guilt in prolonged exposure (PE) therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).

Video clips of patients and family members describing their experiences with PTSD are included. Viewers are assumed to have familiarity with PE and CPT.

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• Date Created: 08/30/2013
• Time to Complete: 8 hours
• Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, ACCME, NBCC, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Advanced
• Course Series: Clinical Skills Training

Learn how to provide STAIR to your patients. STAIR a promising intervention with evidence suggesting that it helps reduce PTSD symptoms, and problems in emotion regulation and social and relationship functioning.

This online STAIR training consists of 8 modules covering several core treatment components. STAIR can be provided as a standalone therapy or as a complement to trauma-focused therapies.

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• Date Created: 05/13/2010
• Time to Complete: 6 hours
• Credits: APA, CA BBS, ACCME, CA BRN, Other Orgs
• Skill Level: Intermediate

Learn how to assist people in the immediate aftermath of disaster and terrorism. This course is for individuals new to disaster response who want to learn the core goals of Psychological First Aid (PFA), as well as for experienced practitioners who want a review.

This is a 6-hour interactive course developed by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) and the National Center for PTSD. The user takes the role of a provider in a post-disaster scene and features include activities, video demonstrations, and mentor tips.

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Source: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/continuing_ed/find_a_course.asp

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