Education Initiatives
Education Initiatives
The National Center for PTSD's education initiatives have 2 aims. The first is to synthesize research information and coordinate communication among top scientists in the field of PTSD. The second is to disseminate that information to those who can put it to use: clinicians and other mental health care providers, policymakers, educators, Veterans, trauma survivors and their families.
Center staff who are involved in education efforts are also in a prime position to gather feedback from clinicians and providers in the field that can inform future research efforts. In this way, research and education activities compliment and reinforce one another.
The major focus of the Center's education activities has always been America's Veterans and Service members. To this end, as we develop educational products and services, we leverage the close relationships between the Center's education staff and their counterparts in other VA services and the Department of Defense to benefit to those priority populations.
Over the years, it has become clear that the educational materials and training programs produced by the National Center for PTSD can also be of help to others who have experienced traumatic stress: disaster survivors, crime and accident victims and first responders—in short, anyone who has been exposed to traumatic events. The Center's education efforts include a range of offerings—courses, brochures, videos, online resources, literature databases and more—that incorporate the most up-to-date knowledge gained from research. Communication has advanced to incorporate web-based programs, telehealth approaches, mobile apps and other new technologies. Please view our Annual Reports for a yearly summary of National Center initiatives and accomplishments.
The National Center also works to ensure professional and special provider populations involved with caring for Veterans and others who experience trauma have access to education and training opportunities. In particular, the PTSD Consultation Program offers providers who are working with U.S. Veterans free consultation with PTSD experts. Consultants assist providers with questions about PTSD assessment and treatment, clinical practice, resources for PTSD care, administration and programmatic issues, and improving care for Veterans. The Consultation Program also hosts a monthly lecture series featuring expert commentary on topics derived from consultation requests. Beginning in 2019, the Consultation Program has offered opportunities for licensed mental health providers who treat Veterans to receive free in-person training in Prolonged Exposure for PTSD.
