Can a Stepped-Care approach make PTSD therapy more effective?

NCT ID NCT05457985

First seen Jul 01, 2026 · Last updated Jul 01, 2026

Summary

This trial tests whether starting PTSD treatment with one type of talk therapy and then switching to another based on early progress leads to better symptom relief. About 430 adults receiving care at federally qualified health centers will take part. The study compares different sequences of prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy to see which approach works best.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

talk therapy (prolonged exposure for primary care and cognitive processing therapy)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could point toward a more efficient, personalized approach to PTSD treatment that uses fewer resources while still reducing symptoms.

What could go wrong

This is a behavioral intervention study, so results depend on participant engagement and may not apply to all PTSD patients. The therapies may not work better than standard care.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

post-traumatic stress disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Cherry Health

    RECRUITING

    Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503, United States

    Contact

    Contact

  • CommUnityCare Health Centers

    RECRUITING

    Austin, Texas, 78702, United States

    Contact

    Contact

  • Family Care Health Centers

    RECRUITING

    St Louis, Missouri, 63111, United States

    Contact

    Contact

  • Family Health Care

    TERMINATED

    Baldwin, Michigan, 49304, United States

  • Family Medical Center of Michigan

    RECRUITING

    Monroe, Michigan, 48162, United States

    Contact

    Contact

  • Genesee Community Health Center

    RECRUITING

    Flint, Michigan, 48503, United States

    Contact

  • Grace Health

    RECRUITING

    Battle Creek, Michigan, 49037, United States

    Contact

    Contact

  • Hamilton Community Health Network

    RECRUITING

    Flint, Michigan, 48503, United States

    Contact

    Contact

  • MidMichigan Community Health Services

    RECRUITING

    Houghton Lake, Michigan, 48629, United States

    Contact

    Contact

  • Sterling Area Health Center

    RECRUITING

    Sterling, Michigan, 48659, United States

    Contact

    Contact

  • Unity Care NW

    RECRUITING

    Bellingham, Washington, 98225, United States

    Contact

    Contact

  • Upper Great Lakes Family Health Care Center

    RECRUITING

    Menominee, Michigan, 49858, United States

    Contact

    Contact

  • Western North Carolina Community Health Services

    RECRUITING

    Asheville, North Carolina, 28801, United States

    Contact

    Contact