PTSD: National Center for PTSD
Using AboutFace: Real PTSD Stories
Using AboutFace: Real PTSD Stories
What Is AboutFace?
AboutFace is an educational website that explains PTSD using video stories and easy-to-read text from real Veterans, family members and VA treatment providers to help explain the experience of living with PTSD and the benefits of effective PTSD treatment.
The Veterans on the site span more than 6 decades of military experience and give valuable advice about their PTSD symptoms and treatment. Partners, children and friends talk about what it's like to live with someone who has PTSD. Treatment providers (including social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists) explain what PTSD is, answer questions they've often been asked, and describe the treatments that get the best results.
AboutFace encourages Veterans to seek treatment—and it's also a useful tool for clinicians and Peer Specialists. Download the guides below to learn how to incorporate AboutFace into your clinical practice.
Using AboutFace With Your Clients
AboutFace offers a few ways for users to learn about PTSD:
- Move step-by-step through the basics of PTSD and treatment
- Browse videos on topics that are most relevant to their own experience
- Search using filters, including military service details, PTSD therapies and topics such as: How does PTSD affect relationships?; Military Sexual Trauma (MST); and, Race, Culture, and PTSD.
AboutFace User Guides for Clinicians and Peer Specialists
Download the User Guide(s) below to learn specific ways to use AboutFace with your clients:
"I recommend using AboutFace for Veterans who are beginning treatment. I also talk about the website as a great option for their family...to hear about recovery stories and how PTSD impacts family...and ways family can be supportive during treatment and beyond."
- Elissa McCarthy, PhD Clinical Psychologist, VA
"We use AboutFace videos in our PTSD Orientation and in our Introduction to PTSD class. I have also used AboutFace videos in individual sessions. It helps the Veterans realize that they are not alone and helps me explain how much treatment can help. It gives them hope."
- Kyle Milk VA Peer Specialist
Using AboutFace: Who Else May Benefit?
AboutFace testimonials give anyone who watches them firsthand insight into the PTSD experience. Consider sharing AboutFace with:
- Clients in individual or group treatment settings
- Family and friends of a client dealing with PTSD
- Other providers and trainees as a teaching tool
- Any professional who may work or interact with Veterans who have PTSD (e.g., educators, clergy, police) to sensitize them to military culture and PTSD
- Anyone (students, Veterans, clients, etc.) interested in a career as a mental health provider
"AboutFace is extremely helpful at the start of each training year. We have the new interns and postdoctoral fellows watch the clinician videos to learn how to introduce evidence-based PTSD treatments and how to engage Veterans in the treatments. We also have them watch the Veteran videos to learn about PTSD."
- Sonya Norman, PhD Clinical Psychologist and Director of VA's PTSD Consultation Program
You May Also Be Interested In
VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD (2023)
Get information on evidence-based treatment recommendations for PTSD.
Clinician's Guide to Medications for PTSD
Get key information and guidance on the best medications for PTSD.
