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WHAT ARE BENEFITS OF WHAT ARE EVIDENCE-BASED EVIDENCE-BASED PSYCHOTHERAPIES? PSYCHOTHERAPIES? Proven EVIDENCE-BASED We used to think that many mental health PSYCHOTHERAPIES (EBPs): conditions were untreatable. Recently, new ■ Are Effective — research shows that EBPs reduce symptoms, improve quality of life, Treatments psychotherapies (or “talk therapies”) have and promote recovery. EVIDENCE-BASED PSYCHOTHERAPIES been developed. Research shows that ■ Are Goal-Oriented — therapists and Veterans work together to identify and reach individual FOR DEPRESSION, PTSD, AND OTHER many of these psychotherapies are effective goals. Veterans learn new skills so that they may FOR MORE INFORMATION: MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS live life with fewer symptoms. for treating mental health conditions. ■ Are Time Limited — symptom reduction can be VA EVIDENCE-BASED PSYCHOTHERAPIES achieved in about 12 sessions. http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/Evidence_Based_ The psychotherapies that are shown to be Psychotherapy.asp ■ Have Lasting Benefts — treatment gains are effective are referred to as “evidence-based” often maintained long after treatment ends. NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD WEBSITE http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/materials/videos/ psychotherapies. whiteboards.asp

TREATMENT TAKES WORK, NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is BUT IT DOES WORK! www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org committed to providing the best possible IF YOU PARTICIPATE IN AN EBP, care to Veterans. As part of this commitment, YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO: Schedule an appointment with a VA the VA is making evidence-based ■ Attend weekly individual or group sessions. Mental Health professional to discuss ■ Actively participate in your treatment. which option is best for you. psychotherapies available to Veterans ■ Complete practice assignments outside of within the VA health care system. therapy sessions.

VA Defining h~ Success requires daily effort and HEALTH EXCB.l.ENCE Evidence-Based CARE in the 21St Century commitment to change. PSYCHOTHERAPIES

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PTSD

COGNITIVE PROCESSING THERAPY (CPT) CPT focuses on decreasing symptoms of PTSD by exploring the relationship between thoughts and EVIDENCE-BASED emotions. Veterans work through trauma beliefs PSYCHOTHERAPIES IN VA related to trust, safety, power/control, intimacy and esteem.

SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS (SMI) DEPRESSION PROLONGED EXPOSURE (PE) PE helps Veterans regain control of their lives by BEHAVIORAL FAMILY THERAPY (BFT) COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT) helping Veterans approach trauma-related thoughts, BFT is for Veterans with SMI and their families. CBT explores the relationship between thoughts and feelings, and situations that tend to be avoided due BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Sessions are focused on family education, emotions and focuses on changing thoughts and to the distress they cause. Methods used include CONDITIONS AND communication, and problem-solving skills. These behaviors in order to improve mood. exposure to real-world reminders of trauma and RELATIONSHIP DISTRESS skills help to cope with challenges associated with talking through the trauma memory. mental illness. ACCEPTANCE & COMMITMENT THERAPY COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR (ACT) COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL CONJOINT CHRONIC PAIN (CBT-CP) SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING (SST) ACT focuses on managing thoughts and feelings that THERAPY FOR POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS CBT-CP focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors SST improves skills for managing health, confict, overwhelm our sense of well-being by helping DISORDER (CBCT-PTSD) to improve pain management and quality of life. relationships, and work. Veterans practice skills Veterans overcome struggles with emotional pain CBCT-PTSD helps couples understand the effect of during SST sessions to use in their daily life. and commit to what matters most in their lives. PTSD on relationships, improves communication, COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR and changes thoughts and beliefs which may INSOMNIA (CBT-I) maintain PTSD and relationship problems. INTERPERSONAL THERAPY (IPT) CBT-I focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS IPT focuses on improving mood by supporting to help with diffculties falling and staying asleep. positive relationships. IPT helps the Veteran address COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR relationship problems caused by life changes, PROBLEM SOLVING TRAINING (PST) SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS (CBT-SUD) relationship conficts, grief, or other issues. PST helps Veterans recover from diffcult situations. CBT-SUD focuses on changing thoughts and Veterans learn skills that improve their ability to behaviors associated with substance use conditions cope with major life circumstances and chronic and promoting an active, problem-solving approach. daily stressors. WHAT IF I AM NOT SURE MOTIVATIONAL ENHANCEMENT THERAPY WHETHER I AM READY? INTEGRATIVE BEHAVIORAL COUPLES (MET) THERAPY (IBCT) MET is used to strengthen motivation for change. It MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING (MI) IBCT improves relationships by helping couples also supports Veterans in planning an active course MI helps Veterans strengthen their willingness and accept and tolerate each other’s differences. IBCT of substance use recovery. dedication to make life changes that ft one’s values helps partners reach agreements and identify what and goals. needs to change.

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