A NEWSLETTER FOR PROVIDERS WHO TREAT VETERANS

• Our Next Lecture
• Upcoming Lectures
• Featured Article
• Free Resources

Our Next Lecture

Treating PTSD in Primary Care

Kyle Possemato, PhD

Wednesday, October 16 at 2:00pm ET 

photo by cottonbro studio

About the Presenter

KYLE POSSEMATO, PhD is the Associate Director for Research for the VA Center for Integrated Healthcare and  holds faculty appointments in the Department of Psychology at Syracuse University and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the State University of New York, Upstate Medical University. Her research focuses on developing, testing and implementing interventions for PTSD and substance use disorders with an emphasis on interventions that can be delivered in non-traditional ways in order to increase patient engagement. Examples include brief interventions delivered in the primary care setting, technology-based (e.g., web and smart phone) interventions, and services delivered by peer-support specialists. Much of Dr. Possemato’s research focuses on testing and implementing cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness interventions to increase engagement in care and reduce PTSD symptoms and alcohol use among Veterans.

About the Topic

PTSD commonly occurs among primary care patients in both Veterans Affairs and community settings.  Research demonstrates that most primary care patients with PTSD do not receive adequate PTSD treatment. Evidence-based screenings and treatments for PTSD that are appropriate for the primary care setting are now available. This presentation will detail gold standard screening methods and describe several brief treatments for PTSD, including their evidence base and current implementations status. Strategies for shared decision making on when to treat in primary care and when to referral to specialty mental health settings will also be discussed.

Upcoming Lectures

Featured Article

For Mental Health Providers: Working with People Affected by Disaster Events

A range of challenges may be present for people in your care after disaster events like Hurricane Helene.  This article summarizes ways that disasters might affect people with existing mental health issues and provides suggestions for how providers can help mitigate risk for their patients.  Examples of how to talk about disaster events are provided along with consideration about how to modify treatments and a framework to help manage reactions.

Read the full version of this new article

Free Resources

Disaster Response

Mental health providers are often asked to play a role in disaster recovery.  Our consultants are available to help you learn more about mental health resources available to help following disasters.  Providers can contact us to ask questions or discuss strategies for responding in their community.  We also provide many free resources, including:

• Our Resources for Survivors and the Public Following Sudden Trauma page is a good place to start.  Information specific to hurricanes is available (in English and in Spanish).
• We have a new Tips for Disaster Recovery video (less than 5 minutes).
• For those who may be dealing with loss and grief, we have content for taking care of oneself as well as tips for supporting others who are facing loss.

Safety Plan Mobile App

The free Safety Plan app is for anyone who has experienced thoughts about suicide or self-harm. The app helps patients make a safety plan, share their safety plan with loved ones, and use tools to manage distress.  It is available for iOS and Android devices

Learn more and download the app 

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.