Web-Based Provider Training for Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders Using Prolonged Exposure (COPEWeb)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders (SUD) are two of the most common and debilitating mental health conditions afflicting military Veterans. PTSD and SUD frequently co-occur and are associated with poorer treatment outcomes. The investigators' team developed a trauma-focused intervention, Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders Using Prolonged Exposure (COPE), which is identified by the VA as a gold standard of behavioral healthcare and was designated as a first-line treatment in the 2025 APA Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD. However, a critical barrier to ensuring that Veterans with co-occurring PTSD/SUD receive evidence-based treatment is a lack of provider training. This project directly addresses this critical gap by developing a new web-based training program for providers (COPEWeb).
• currently a provider in a behavioral health field (e.g., psychology, psychiatry, counseling)
• English speaking
• able to consistently obtain reliable internet access
• willing to attend a 2-day live in-person (or virtual) COPE training if randomly assigned to that condition
• willing to engage in a standardized patient assessment after training
• has no prior formal training in the COPE therapy