Feature Topic

‘There’s an App for That’

PTSD Mobile Apps Are Now Available

Created by VA’s National Center for PTSD and our collaborators. PTSD mobile apps include the award winning PTSD Coach mobile app and the first PTSD treatment companion app.

Treatment companion apps are to be used by a patient who is in PTSD treatment together with their care provider. The apps are to assist with PTSD treatment. The first app of this kind is to be used by a patient who is receiving Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy for PTSD: PE Coach.

These free PTSD apps are available for Android and Apple mobile devices, including tablets.

Many more apps are coming soon! (See below for apps we have for professionals.)

Apps on deck: (releasing this fall)

·         Stay Quit Coach: Used between a patient and provider to help those with PTSD quit smoking, and stay quit.

·         PTSD Family Coach: Help for families dealing with PTSD.

No Smartphone? Coming Soon: PTSD Coach ONLINE

We want everyone to be able to access the tools in PTSD Coach. In early 2013 look for PTSD Coach ONLINE. Subscribe to the PTSD Monthly Update to be notified when it is posted.

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For Providers

Mobile Apps For Providers

Apps are for everyone, including those who are caring for people with PTSD.

·         Treatment Companion Apps (use with patients in treatment)
PE Coach: This app can assist you when using Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy for PTSD. It allows patients to keep track of homework and record their narrative.

·         Provider Apps (use to make your job easier)
Disaster Response - PFA Mobile: PFA stands for Psychological First Aid, an intervention to help people following disaster. Learn from the PFA online manual and training, and then this app can assist you in the field. (Coming in the next few weeks!)

What other apps would help you with PTSD care? More apps are coming soon, but if you have ideas email ncptsd@va.gov.

Online Trainings

·         Civilian Health Care Providers Treating Service Members
8/23, 1-2:30 pm EST Register for Webinar
Part of a monthly webinar put on by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.

·         Fall Trainings from the Battered Women’s Justice Project
See list and register under the Audio/Webinar tab.

Special JRRD Issue

VA’s Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development (JRRD) reviews the VA/DOD PTSD Clinical Practice Guideline. Includes an editorial: "How busy clinicians can best adopt updated recommendations" and more.

New Interface for PILOTS Database

If you use PILOTS, note that a new interface, ProQuest, is coming on August 21st.

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 For VA Providers

VA PTSD Consultation Program

Did you know that PTSD is the most common mental health diagnosis among Veterans?

Get a free PTSD consult. All questions welcome!

Call 866-948-7880 or email: ptsdconsult@va.gov

NEW Update

Sign-up for Special VA Staff PTSD Updates

VA Trainings

VA PTSD Case Consultation Presentation Series

8/21: Dr. Andy Saxon on Opioid Management in PTSD Patients
3rd Tuesday of the month, 2 pm EST. Based on questions posed to the VA PTSD Consultation Program.

·         Register via TMS and on 9/21 go to the Course.

·         Not seeking accreditation? On 9/21 access the Live Meeting. NOTE: Live Meeting must be installed on your computer.

·         Audio: (800) 767-1750, 99082#

Tobacco Use Cessation Clinical Update Series

8/27: Stay Quit Coach- Application Overview, Eric Kuhn, PhD
Register via TMS, VANTS code 67738, 3 pm EST.

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Research at the Center

A randomized controlled trial on the PTSD Coach mobile app is underway. It examines how well the popular app increases knowledge, self-management skills, and treatment engagement in Veterans beginning outpatient trauma programs at the San Diego VA.

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PTSD in the News

Genes and PTSD. A new study by National Center for PTSD researchers identifies a genetic link to PTSD. Full article available online in Molecular Psychiatry.*

Couples PTSD Therapy. A study by National Center for PTSD researchers finds couples therapy effective for reducing PTSD symptoms and improving relationships. Read more.*

Aurora, CO, Shooting Witnesses and PTSD Vulnerability.
(ABC News) What is the chance of PTSD following the shooting in the Aurora, CO theater? Read more.*

Researchers Discover Dissociative Subtype Of PTSD.
(redOrbit) A study by National Center for PTSD researchers found an association between PTSD and dissociation. Read more.*

Please encourage your colleagues and others to subscribe to the PTSD Monthly Update!

Sincerely,
The Staff of the National Center for PTSD

PS. Featured next month: AboutFace - Help Spread the Word.

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