# Teaching Loved Ones to Help Veterans Optimize their PTSD Care and Healing

> **NIH VA I21** · MINNEAPOLIS VA  MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · —

## Abstract

Impacts. We aim to improve the mental health, family functioning, and well-being of veterans with
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through developing and evaluating a trauma-focused, couple therapy for
PTSD. We will use strategies from Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (ICBT) to help intimate partners
support veterans during exposure therapy for PTSD (Prolonged Exposure; PE). We anticipate this approach
will increase veterans’ engagement in PE, but also improve relationship functioning, family functioning, and
social functioning. Family involvement has been highlighted as a fertile avenue for improving the outcomes for
patients with PTSD, yet families are infrequently integrated into evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs). Our
goals are highly is consistent with RR&D’s mission to promote research that leverages family support as a
pathway to reintegration and optimizes meaningful recovery and functioning.
Background. PTSD occurs in as many as 17% of US military veterans and is associated with a host of
negative, long-term consequences to the individual, their families, and society at large. EBPs, such as PE,
result in clinically significant symptom relief for many. Yet, these therapies have proven less effective for
military personnel and veterans and treatment dropout rates are high. Our team surveyed veterans initiating
EBPs for PTSD and a family member across four VA medical centers (N = 598; Project HomeFront). We found
that veterans were more than twice as likely to complete EBPs when loved ones encouraged them to confront
distress and that veterans experienced greater treatment gains when they shared more with their loved ones
about their treatment. A couples-based, exposure therapy for PTSD that integrates intimate partners into every
session of PE could provide the opportunity to mobilize the whole household in the service of EBP
engagement, while extending the goals of therapy beyond symptom reduction to family functioning. We
anticipate this intervention will teach couples to embrace a lifestyle that supports confronting trauma-related
distress, so the veteran and his/her family can achieve optimal functional outcomes.
Objectives. We will complete stages 1A and 1B of the Stage Model of Treatment Development. Specifically,
we will: (1) Expand our treatment outline using content experts and feedback from key stakeholders (veterans,
intimate partners, providers, and VA mental health leadership). (2) Conduct a pilot open trial to assess (a) the
acceptability of treatment components, structure, and materials, (b) the feasibility of the intervention (retention
and intervention fidelity), and (c) the study approach (screening, recruitment, and assessment process). (3)
Explore the preliminary effects of the intervention on select outcomes including overall functioning, mental
health functioning, social functioning, family functioning, and potential mechanisms (social control, subjective
norms, and the degree to which veterans rely on the...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10013653
- **Project number:** 1I21RX003460-01
- **Recipient organization:** MINNEAPOLIS VA  MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Laura Meis
- **Activity code:** I21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-08-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10013653

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10013653, Teaching Loved Ones to Help Veterans Optimize their PTSD Care and Healing (1I21RX003460-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10013653. Licensed CC0.

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