Recruiting

CPT with WoVeN

Sponsor:

Boston University

Code:

NCT07250061

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Depression

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: Female

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Self-Help Cognitive Processing Therapy

Women Veterans Network (WoVeN)

Treatment as Usual

Study Details

Brief summary:

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can have significant impairment on aspects of mental well-being (MWB) including functioning, loneliness, physical health, and quality of life. There are several evidence-based treatments (EBPs) effective in treating PTSD such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) which is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy that has been proven effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD. However, there are several barriers (e.g., lack of providers, waitlists, costs, stigma, disabilities that complicate travel) that can prevent someone from engaging with these treatments. Recently, a self-help version of CPT was created to help address these barriers; but little research has been conducted to test its efficacy. Further, less is know about how a peer support program may augment improvements from participating in an EBP. The Women Veteran Network (WoVeN), a peer support program designed for women veterans, has a manualized 8-week program that directly targets MWB. It has been found to help foster belongingness and connectedness, particularly in those suffering from PTSD and depression.

The present study aims to establish the feasibility, acceptability and tolerability of a scalable, sustainable, and effective treatment option for trauma survivors with subthreshold or full PTSD. The overarching goal is to understand the effectiveness of a self-help version of an EBP (either alone or in combination with a peer support program) in reducing PTSD symptoms while also helping improve mental well-being, reduce barriers, and increase access to quality care within health disparity populations.

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Depression

Study ID

NCT07250061

Start date

Mar 5, 2026

Status verified date

May, 2026

Completion date

Mar, 2028

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Mar, 2028

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: Female

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Identifies as a woman
  • Has served in the United States military
  • A full or subthreshold (meets criteria for 2 out of 4 of the symptom clusters for PTSD) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) diagnosis
  • Able to read English well enough to complete study questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Clinician judgment that the participant is not appropriate for self-help level of care for PTSD (i.e., recent psychiatric hospitalization, requires detox, volatile, active suicidality)
  • Current psychosis or unstable bipolar disorder (determined during baseline interview as described in screening and enrollment procedures)
  • Must not have participated in a WoVeN group within the last year
  • Must not be receiving an evidenced-based therapy for PTSD at the time of the screening

Study Design

Enrollment

100 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Self-Help Cognitive Processing Therapy (shCPT)

Participants randomized to this arm will receive Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and a self- help book.

experimental: Women Veterans Network (WoVeN) + self-help CPT (BOTH)

Participants randomized to this arm will receive Cognitive Processing Therapy by trained peer leaders from the Women Veterans Network (WoVeN).

active comparator: Treatment as Usual (TAU)

Participants randomized to this arm will receive TAU.

Interventions

Self-Help Cognitive Processing Therapy

Participants will be given a copy of the CPT self-help book that guides the trauma survivor through the same CPT protocol that is typically delivered by a therapist but supplemented with significant additional guidance and suggestions to aid the survivor in their journey toward recovery. This 10-week program also provides links to educational videos, fillable worksheets, and resources for the individual if they would like to seek additional care

Women Veterans Network (WoVeN)

Participants will complete the CPT self-help book while also enrolled in a WoVeN group. WoVeN is a national, peer support network with groups led by women veterans, for women veterans. During this 8-week program, Peer Leaders who are trained by national experts in the WoVeN curriculum conduct weekly groups. Groups consist of approximately 4-8 women veterans, each lasting about 90 minutes, and focus on relevant themes such as life transitions, balance, hope, connections, trust, and esteem.

Treatment as Usual

Participants will receive psychoeducation about PTSD and different treatment options using the materials developed by the VA National Center for PTSD. They will also be provided with a referral list with guidance and suggestions and assistance in navigating the list and the referral process. All interventions must be completed within 10 weeks.

Primary outcome measure

  • Clinician assessed PTSD Symptoms [ Time Frame: Pre intervention- baseline, Post intervention- 10 weeks, Follow-up- 28 weeks ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Tara E Galovski, PhD

(857) 364-4129Tara.Galovski@va.gov

Lauren Mcsweeney, PhD

(617) 480-0429Lauren.Mcsweeney@va.gov

Locations

Fully online study

Recruiting

Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02118

Contacts

Tara E Galovski, PhD

857-364-4129Tara.Galovski@va.gov

More Information

Sponsor

Boston University

Last update posted

May 27, 2026

Last verified

May, 2026

Keywords

  • Mental well being
  • Self help cognitive processing therapy
  • Peer support program
  • Quality of life
  • Loneliness
  • Women Veterans Network

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Boston University on 2026-05-27.