Written Exposure Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

(WEST Trial)

Overseen By Kevin Wenzel, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Potomac Health Foundations

Disqualifiers: Acute psychosis, Suicidality, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 9

Duration: 4 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores the effectiveness of Written Exposure Therapy (WET) for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who are also undergoing treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). The therapy involves writing about traumatic experiences in guided sessions with a therapist. The trial aims to determine if this approach is practical and beneficial in a short-term residential treatment setting for those with severe SUD. It may suit individuals in a residential SUD treatment program who have PTSD and feel comfortable writing about their traumatic experiences. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to advance the understanding of innovative therapies for PTSD and SUD.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial organizers or your healthcare provider.

What prior data suggests that this therapy is safe for individuals with PTSD in residential SUD treatment?

Research has shown that Written Exposure Therapy (WET) is generally safe and well-tolerated for people with PTSD. Studies have found that WET can effectively reduce PTSD symptoms. For instance, one study found that many patients no longer had PTSD after just a few weeks of therapy.

WET involves writing about traumatic experiences, which some people might find emotionally difficult. However, a therapist guides the sessions to help manage any distress. Most patients handle the treatment well and see significant improvements. No major negative effects have been reported, indicating that it is a safe option for those considering joining these trials. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Written Exposure Therapy (WET) for PTSD is unique because it offers a simple, yet structured approach that can be adapted for different settings, like substance use disorder (SUD) facilities. Unlike traditional PTSD treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or medication options that can take time to administer or require longer sessions, WET involves just five short sessions where participants write about their traumatic experiences under the guidance of a therapist. This method is not only time-efficient but also allows for deep personal reflection, which can be particularly beneficial in a residential setting. Researchers are excited because WET could provide a quicker, adaptable, and potentially more accessible way to help individuals process trauma.

What evidence suggests that written exposure therapy is effective for PTSD?

Research shows that Written Exposure Therapy (WET), provided to participants in this trial alongside treatment as usual (TAU), effectively treats PTSD symptoms. Studies have found that WET can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, even in individuals with complex cases or additional health issues. Evidence suggests that WET is as effective as other, longer PTSD treatments but requires less time. In one study, patients experienced major improvements in PTSD symptoms just one month after starting therapy. This indicates that WET could be a promising option for individuals in residential treatment for substance use disorders. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with PTSD who are currently in a short-term residential program for severe substance use disorder. Participants must meet the criteria for PTSD to be eligible.

Inclusion Criteria

Be English speaking.

I have been diagnosed with PTSD by a professional.

I am 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

I am able to understand and agree to the study's procedures and risks.

Presence of acute psychosis or suicidality that would interfere with study participation

Planning to leave residential treatment before WEST could realistically be completed as determined by the investigator

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive 5 individual sessions of adapted Written Exposure Therapy (WET) for PTSD within a residential SUD treatment program

4 weeks

5 sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for PTSD symptom reduction and treatment acceptability

12 weeks

Assessments at 4, 8, and 12 weeks post enrollment

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Written Exposure Therapy

Trial Overview The study is testing the feasibility and acceptability of Written Exposure Therapy (WET) adapted for those undergoing treatment for substance use disorders, within a typical 28-day residential program.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: TAU + Adapted Written Exposure Therapy (WET) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants in this condition receive everything included in TAU plus 5 individual sessions of WET delivered by a therapist. WET has been adapted for delivery in a residential SUD setting according to expert feedback. Sessions average less than 60 minutes and primarily involve writing about the traumatic experience that is guided by the therapist.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Potomac Health Foundations

Lead Sponsor

Trials

7

Recruited

490+

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Collaborator

Trials

13

Recruited

2,400+

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38358724/

A systematic review of written exposure therapy for ... - PubMed Conclusions: The published studies indicate that WET is an efficacious and effective treatment for PTSD symptoms across a variety of samples, ...

2. ptsd.va.gov ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/txessentials/written_exposure_therapy.asp

Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD - National Center for PTSD A growing number of studies indicate that WET is effective for PTSD, even among patients with complicated presentations and other comorbid disorders.

3. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2808302

Written Exposure Therapy vs Prolonged ... The accumulating evidence for WET suggests that it may be an efficacious and effective PTSD treatment that is associated with less treatment ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005789424000297

State of the Science: Written Exposure Therapy for ... The evidence indicates that WET is an efficacious and effective treatment approach for PTSD and is noninferior to more time-intensive evidence-based treatments ...

5. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20008066.2025.2545048

Full article: Feasibility of written exposure therapy for PTSD ... Average therapist time required was under six hours per patient. Within-group analyses showed significant reductions in PTSD symptoms at one-month follow-up (d ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8390941/

An Open Pilot Trial of Written Exposure Therapy ... Fourteen of 23 (60.9%) patients at 6 weeks, 15 of 22 (68.2%) patients at 12 weeks, and 14 of 18 (77.8%) patients at 24 weeks no longer met the diagnosis of PTSD ...

7. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01800773

Written Exposure Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Outcome data will be collected at baseline and 6-, 12-, 24-, 36- and 60-weeks post-first treatment session. The primary aim is to examine whether PTSD ...

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S245186542100065X

Comparing written exposure therapy to Prolonged ... In an ongoing randomized controlled trial (RCT) we are investigating whether WET is non-inferior in treating PTSD compared with the more time intensive PE.