Evidence based treatments | veterans affairs

We now have effective treatments for a range of mental health conditions that, not long ago, were considered untreatable. Offering the best treatments possible is consistent with VA’s

mission to provide the best care to our Veterans. Therapies that are repeatedly shown in controlled research to be effective for a particular condition or conditions are referred to as

“evidence-based”. We offer the following evidence based therapies. POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) COGNITIVE PROCESSING THERAPY * 13 weeks of individual and group sessions or individual

alone * Focuses on “stuck points,” or thoughts that are getting in the way of your life * Helps process traumatic events to reduce trauma-related symptoms (ex., anxiety, easily startled,

nightmares, intrusive thoughts, avoidance) and depression (Chard, 2005) PROLONGED EXPOSURE THERAPY * 12-16 individual sessions * Focuses on confronting avoidance in life and also of the

traumatic memories * Helps process traumatic events to reduce trauma-related symptoms (ex., anxiety, easily startled, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, avoidance) and depression (Foa, Hembree,

Cahill, Rauch, Riggs, Feeny, & Yadin, 2005)  DEPRESSION ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY (ACT-D) * 12-16 individual sessions * Focuses on confronting avoidance in life and movement

towards valued activities * Helps with becoming active in life to reduce symptoms of depression (Hayes, Luoma, & Bond, 2006) COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT-D) * 12-16 individual

sessions * Focuses on exploring relationships between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors * Helps to learn new patterns of thinking and develop positive behaviors to reduce symptoms of

depression (DeRubeis & Crits-Christoph, 1998) INTERPERSONAL PSYCHOTHERAPY (IPT) * 12-16 individual sessions * Targets interpersonal issues, which help create and maintain distress *

Explores areas such as delayed/incomplete grief, role transitions, role disputes or interpersonal deficit. * Helps decrease depression symptoms, improve interpersonal functioning, and

increase social support. SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS (EX., BIPOLAR DISORDER, SCHIZOPHRENIA) SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING (SST) * Group sessions 2 times a week for 6-12 weeks * Teaches social skills of

basic conversation, assertiveness, conflict management, friendship and dating, health maintenance, work, and coping for drug and alcohol use * Helps with becoming socially active and

relating to others in life, as well as reducing hospitalizations (Kurtz & Mueser, 2008) BEHAVIORAL FAMILY THERAPY (BFT) * Vet and family member/supporter attend sessions with therapist

for about 9 months * Includes education about the illness, treatment options, and safety planning; training in communication and problem solving skills; and education and/or referrals for

other, co-occurring illness-related concerns. MULTI-FAMILY GROUP TREATMENT (MFGT) * Group sessions 2 times a month for 1 or more years * Provides ongoing education and support to the family

system. * Focus on problem solving around current illness-related concerns, communication, and coping skills. * Appropriate for veterans diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizo-affective

disorder, bipolar disorder, or recurrent depression with psychotic features and a family member/supporter. BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY (DBT) * 6-12 months of

weekly individual and group sessions and 24/7 phone coaching as needed * Teaches skills of mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness * Helps with

managing stress, strong emotions, and interacting with others. Has been found to significantly reduce suicidal ideation, anger, depressive symptoms, and hopelessness (Koons et al., 2001)

MOTIVATION MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING (MI) * 1-4 individual sessions * Focuses on establishing a strong therapeutic alliance with the client and directing the client to verbalize “change

talk” and “commitment language” associated with making change * Helps the client address his/her ambivalence about making a change by directing him/her to verbalize the costs of not changing

and, more importantly, verbalizing the benefits to changing (Miller & Rollnick, 2009) MOTIVATIONAL ENHANCEMENT THERAPY (MET) See MI, above. This type of therapy incorporates MI

techniques with objective and personal feedback or evaluation data (e.g., liver enzymes). This assessment information is used to encourage change talk. Typically 1-2 individual sessions.

RELATIONSHIP AND FAMILY DISTRESS INTEGRATED BEHAVIORAL COUPLES THERAPY  (IBCT) * Weekly couple therapy sessions * Focus is on strategies for promoting acceptance in couples to reduce marital

distress and improve relationship satisfaction. * Targets maladaptive interaction patterns that create distress. FAMILY CONSULTATION * 1-2 consultation sessions with Veteran, family

member/supporter, and therapist * For Veterans diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, or another anxiety disorder * Includes

information, treatment recommendations, and referrals. * Appropriate when individuals would like more information about family services, would like assistance with a circumscribed concern

(end of life planning, significant changes in treatment or lifestyle, a new person is entering the treatment team, change in role, etc.), or would like education about the mental health

condition. SUPPORT AND FAMILY EDUCATION (SAFE) * Educational workshops 2 times per month, 18 topics * For supporters/family members of individuals diagnosed with mental health conditions *

Workshop topics focus on education about mental health conditions, self care, and adaptive responses to the illness. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR INSOMNIA (CBT-I) * 6

weekly individual sessions * Targets sleep-related thoughts and behaviors * CBT-I has been shown to be effective in treating insomnia across many patient populations, including those with

comorbid chronic pain conditions, cancer, mild traumatic brain injury, depression, and PTSD. COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR CHRONIC PAIN (CBT-CP) * 11 individual sessions * CBT-CP

encourages veterans to adopt an active, problem-solving approach to cope with many challenges associated with chronic pain. * Central components include improving physical functioning to

enhance engagement with rewarding activities, relaxation training, teaching methods to cope with negative thoughts that increase pain and dysfunction, and improving sleep. PROBLEM SOLVING

TRAINING (PST) * 4 group sessions * Called “Moving Forward” at the VA * Helps people set goals and solve problems SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS CONTINGENCY MANAGEMENT (CM) * For veterans with

stimulant use disorders * 2 appointments per week for 12 weeks * Participate in urine drug screens—negative drug screens earn prizes CONNECT WITH A CARE COORDINATOR Phone calls and walk-ins

welcome: MENTAL HEALTH INTAKE Room 1P-170 One Veterans Drive Minneapolis, MN 55417 Map of Minneapolis campus PHONE:  HOURS: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT