PTSD: National Center for PTSD

These resources can help you get started in learning evidence-based treatments for PTSD:

• Our PTSD 101 Curriculum and Continuing Education offerings provide background information on the best treatments for PTSD.
• CPTWeb 2.0 offers web-based learning of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). This self-paced training includes principles and methods to work with clients reporting any type of PTSD-related trauma, including military. There is a fee for this training.
• Cognitive Processing Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder offers information and resources to assist licensed mental health professionals achieve provider status.
• PEWeb offers web-based learning of Prolonged Exposure (PE). This training has particular focus on military and combat-related PTSD. PEWeb is NOT sufficient training for providers to be able to deliver PE proficiently.
• University of Pennsylvania's Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety offers Intensive Training in Prolonged Exposure for PTSD for licensed mental health professionals or those working under license. Continuing education credits are available. There is a fee for this training.
• The STRONG STAR Training Initiative offers 2-day in-person trainings in CPT and PE followed by 6 months of weekly phone case consultation and other resources in a learning community for providers who treat Veterans and military personnel. There is a fee for the training and continuing education credits are offered.
• In-person and web-based trainings for CPT and PE are offered through the Center for Deployment Psychology . A variety of trainings are available to military and civilian professionals.
• EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) sets EMDR training requirements and approves offerings in different format options. An EMDRIA-approved training provides clinicians with the knowledge and skills to utilize EMDR therapy, a comprehensive understanding of case conceptualization and treatment planning, and the ability to integrate EMDR therapy into clinical practice. View a list of EMDRIA-approved trainings with associated registration and cost information or check with your training provider to verify that they are EMDRIA-approved.
• EMDR Institute offers an EMDR Therapy Basic Training designed for licensed mental health practitioners who treat adults and children in a clinical setting. The training is experiential, familiarizing participants with a broad spectrum of EMDR therapy applications. Advanced workshops are also available. There is a fee for this training.
• Additional regional trainings exist and are too numerous to list here. Contact us to find out if we're aware of unique opportunities in your area.

Understanding military culture and the unique context of military service can help you provide care to Veterans. There are also resources for Veterans in need of PTSD care that you may find helpful.

• Our Military Culture: Core Competencies for Healthcare Professionals online course provides an overview of military organizations and roles, reviews military-specific stressors and offers treatment tools for best practices with military patients.
• Explore VA's military sexual trauma (MST) programs and services for Veterans.
• Find key tools to help you support the mental health services you provide to Veterans in the Community Provider Toolkit.
• Share the Veterans Crisis Line with your Veteran clients. Veterans and their families or friends can call, chat online, or text 24/7 with qualified responders.

Understanding how to connect Veterans with VA services and programs can help direct them to the best care.

• VA's Locator can help you find mental health services for Veterans by location or service type. On the locator, choose "VA health" for Facility type and "Mental health care" for Service type. Contact us if you need help referring a Veteran.
• The PTSD Treatment Programs in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs page reviews program options for care within the VA.
• This page for Veterans contains contact information for those seeking services within VA: Get Help with VA PTSD Care, Benefits, or Claims.
• Information about Eligibility for VA Health Care can help you work with Veteran clients to determine access to benefits.
• We offer providers specific steps for trauma screening and referral to VA services on PTSD Screening and Referral: For Health Care Providers.
• VA's Coaching Into Care program helps family and friends of Veterans figure out what to say to help their Veteran get into care.

Any provider treating Veterans (in any context) can use the Suicide Risk Management Consultation Program. Their expert clinicians provide free consultation, support, and resources that promote therapeutic best practices for providers working with Veterans at risk of suicide.

The following consultation programs are available to VA providers:

• Military Sexual Trauma
• Ask the Expert (for psychosis, bipolar disorder, or substance use disorder)
• Women's Reproductive Mental Health
• Palliative Care
• Workplace Violence Prevention

VA providers who want to learn more about these programs can contact us at PTSDconsult@va.gov