Actively Recruiting
A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy to Disorder-Specific Psychotherapy in the Recovery of Veterans With Social Anxiety Disorder and Comorbid PTSD Symptomatology
Led by VA Office of Research and Development · Updated on 2026-02-10
264
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
30 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy (TBT) compared to disorder-specific cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for Veterans with social anxiety disorder (SAD) who also have symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study aims to assess the effectiveness of TBT in improving quality of life, psychological well-being, and social reintegration. This randomized controlled trial also looks at patient satisfaction and factors affecting attendance and treatment completion. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either TBT or CBT for SAD. Both treatments consist of 12 weekly individual psychotherapy sessions lasting 60 minutes each. TBT uses four types of exposure techniques tailored to different types of avoidance symptoms, while CBT for SAD includes psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, exposures, and termination. Therapists will be trained and supervised to ensure treatment fidelity, with sessions audio recorded and reviewed for quality. Veterans will complete assessments before, during, and after treatment, as well as at a 6-month follow-up. These include self-report questionnaires and diagnostic interviews conducted by blinded assessors via telehealth or in person. Researchers will track psychiatric symptoms, functional impairment, and treatment satisfaction. Attendance and homework completion will be recorded, and ongoing monitoring will help understand treatment progress and outcomes over time.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Comparing TBT to Disorder-Specific Psychotherapy in Veterans With Social Anxiety Disorder
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Participants must be Veterans and registered at Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Health Care System
- Participants must be clearly competent to provide informed consent for research participation
- Participants must meet DSM-5 criteria for social anxiety disorder
- Participants must have clinically significant symptoms of comorbid posttraumatic stress
You will not qualify if you...
- Recent history (< 2 months) of psychiatric hospitalization or a suicide attempt as documented in their medical record
- Acute, severe illness or medical condition that likely will interfere with study procedures as documented in their medical record
- Recent start of new psychiatric medication(s) (< 4 weeks)
- Primary diagnosis of a condition associated with psychotic symptoms, personality disorder, substance use disorder, or bipolar disorder
AI-Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 screening and enrollment visit conducted in person at the VAHCS or via telehealth based on participant preference
Duration - 12 weeks
Participants receive 12 weekly 60-minute individual psychotherapy sessions either with Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy (TBT) or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder (CBT for SAD). Sessions include check-ins, review of previous materials, homework review, new material and exercises, and homework assignment.
12 weekly individual therapy sessions
Duration - 6 months after treatment
Participants complete follow-up assessments to track progress in quality of life, psychological well-being, social reintegration, and symptomatology. These assessments occur during VA visits or via home-based telehealth and include self-report questionnaires and diagnostic interviews.
Assessments at mid-treatment, post-treatment, and at 6-month follow-up separate from therapy sessions
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC
Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29401-5703
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
D
Daniel F Gros, PhD MA BS
L
Lacey Bonner, MA
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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