Very few community mental health clinicians are trained in EBTs for PTSD

Despite extensive research supporting their efficacy and clinical guidelines recommending evidence-based treatments (EBTs) as primary approaches for PTSD, therapies like Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) are often inaccessible to those in need due to timing or location constraints.

Over the past two decades, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) have successfully launched robust and ongoing initiatives to train VA and DoD therapists in these first-line treatments. While thousands of mental health clinicians within the DoD and VA are trained in EBTs for PTSD, few clinicians in private practice or community mental health agencies are aware of these therapies or are trained to deliver them competently and confidently.

A recent survey indicates that fewer than 20% of community providers are trained in EBTs for PTSD, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) or Prolonged Exposure (PE). Training in these specific EBTs is not typically included in psychology, social work, or counseling graduate programs, placing the burden on community mental health agencies. However, training is costly, and these agencies often have limited budgets for their mental health workforce.

Given the prevalence of PTSD in the U.S., it is clear that Americans need greater access to proven treatments, and there is a pressing need to disseminate EBTs for PTSD more widely. A critical component of delivering high-quality PTSD treatment is funding ongoing training efforts to develop and maintain expert PTSD treatment providers in the mental health workforce to ensure individuals with PTSD gain access to high-quality care.

Part of the Solution

The Gavin Farrell Foundation is dedicated to improving access to evidence-based treatment for PTSD. GFF partners with the STRONG STAR Training Initiative to train mental health clinicians in EBTs for PTSD, to successfully embed EBTs for PTSD within agencies and clinics, and to ensure clients treated with EBTs for PTSD experience relief from the debilitating symptoms of PTSD and depression.