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Our Next Lecture

PTSD and Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders: Assessment and Treatment

Stephanie Sacks, PhD

Wednesday, March 15 at 2:00pm ET 

Photo by Cottonbro Studio

About the Presenter

STEPHANIE A. SACKS, PhD is a clinical psychologist in private practice and a National Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD Trainer and Consultant. She is an Adjunct Professor at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Sacks specializes in the evidence-based treatment of PTSD, OCD-Spectrum Disorders and Anxiety Disorders. She is a trained member of the Journalist Trauma Support Network, a program of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma at the Columbia University Journalism School.  Dr. Sacks’ research interests include implementation and outcomes of CPT, the assessment and treatment of PTSD with individuals with co-occurring concerns (e.g. Serious Mental Illness) and the role of blame in recovery trajectories for survivors of interpersonal traumas. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 2012 from the University of Miami and completed her predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship in trauma at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She was previously a Staff Psychologist at the DC VA the Trauma Services Program.

About the Topic

Individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders experience traumatic events and suffer from PTSD at disproportionately higher rates than the general population. Unfortunately, there are numerous barriers to the appropriate assessment and treatment of PTSD in those with psychosis. This lecture bridges this gap by providing guidance for overcoming those barriers. In addition, this lecture describes clinical recommendations to facilitate assessment and treatment of PTSD in those with co-occurring schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.

Featured Article

PTSD and the Family

When a person has PTSD, the effects can be felt by others in their social network. In turn, the health of one's social network may influence the development or maintenance of PTSD. This article discusses connections between PTSD and the quality of relationships with loved ones. Treatment implications—for individuals and/or couples—and resources for supporting family members are included.

Read the full version of this recently updated article

Free Resources

Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma-informed care (TIC) approaches in workplace, educational or health care settings promote well-being, adaptation and resilience in those who have been exposed to prior traumatic experiences. They aim to ensure that policies, procedures and environments support safety, healing, empowerment and recovery, as well as reduce practices that may cause stress or remind people of prior traumatic experiences. They also aim to be responsive to racial, ethnic and cultural differences.

We recently updated our list of TIC resources, including articles and toolkits for a variety of contexts.

EXPLORE THE FULL LIST OF FREE RESOURCES 

Community Providers:  Still Time to Register for Free Assessment Training

We are offering two more sessions of our free online 2--day training on Assessment of PTSD and Suicide Risk.

• May 3-4 (Wednesday & Thursday)
• July 19-20 (Wednesday & Thursday)

Licensed mental health providers who treat Veterans can apply for the training and to receive continuing education credit at no cost.

Learn more and apply online:

Assessment of PTSD and Suicide Risk

VA and other federally-employed providers who are looking for training options can contact us at PTSDconsult@va.gov.

Are you treating U.S. Veterans?

Our team of expert clinicians is available to consult with any healthcare provider treating U.S. veterans in any setting.   We can discuss assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, medications, collaborating with VA care, patient and family education, continuing education, and just about anything else related to veterans and PTSD.  No question is too big or too small. Contact us at PTSDconsult@va.gov or 866-948-7880.