Web-Based and In-Person Training for Providers on Treating PTSD and Substance Use Disorders Using Prolonged Exposure COPE

What this Trial Is About

Post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD and substance use disorders SUD are common and challenging mental health conditions among military Veterans, often occurring together and linked to poorer treatment outcomes. The study evaluates a new web-based training program called COPEWeb for providers, developed to improve access to Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders Using Prolonged Exposure COPE, a trauma-focused therapy identified as a gold standard by the VA and recommended in the 2025 APA Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD. This training aims to address the critical shortage of clinicians trained in COPE and enhance treatment delivery for Veterans with co-occurring PTSD and SUD. The study compares the new online COPEWeb training to traditional in-person COPE training for behavioral health providers, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors. COPEWeb includes an innovative provider assistance toolkit to support clinicians during therapy sessions and aims to improve training accessibility, especially for providers in rural areas. The project will develop and test COPEWeb through phases of content development, alpha-testing, and beta-testing before comparing outcomes between web-based and in-person training methods. Participants, who are providers with no prior COPE training, will attend either the online or in-person training and complete standardized patient assessments after training. Researchers will collect data on provider satisfaction, knowledge acquisition, and practice fidelity through questionnaires and knowledge tests over approximately 8 weeks. The study also measures cost-effectiveness and aims to rapidly disseminate COPEWeb to enhance evidence-based care for Veterans coping with PTSD and SUD.

COPEWeb Training for Providers