You can help us improve PTSD treatment for other Veterans by participating in research therapy and answering questions about your experiences!
The COOPERATE study focuses on comparing two methods of involving intimate partners in PTSD treatment. All Veterans will receive a treatment found to be effective in treating PTSD, known as Prolonged Exposure. This therapy is considered the “gold standard” treatment for PTSD and has been used in the VA for more than twenty years. Although it has helped many Veterans, there are some Veterans who have not benefitted from the therapy. We would like to see if involving significant others in the prolonged exposure therapy process will help more Veterans.
Veterans who participate in the study will be randomly selected to invite their significant other to one or multiple therapy sessions with them. During these therapy sessions, they will work as a team to help the Veteran approach activities and memories they have been avoiding and work on their mental health symptoms. By improving their symptoms, you may see improvements in your relationship, but this is not the focus of treatment. Rather, treatment is mostly focused on supporting the Veteran through their past trauma. The Veteran will not be asked to talk about their traumatic experiences with their partner.
Participating in the study involves the following:
- The Veteran will receive approximately three months of a therapy found to be effective in treating PTSD. Veterans will attend therapy sessions twice a week.
- The Veteran’s intimate partner participates in the study with them.
- Veterans will be randomly selected to invite their partner to attend one therapy session with them at the beginning of treatment or to attend weekly therapy sessions with them. Veterans will not be asked to talk about your traumatic experiences with their partner. Sessions will be recorded and will be 30-90 minutes.
- Veterans and their partners will get paid on a debit card for completing surveys and interviews throughout the study. They would be paid after completion of each assessment. The payment amounts are:
- Veterans will get paid up to $890
- Significant others will get paid up to $540
- Veterans will earn a challenge coin after completing the final survey or interview.
Click or scan here to join the study! You may also call us at 612-629-7591 for more information.
You can also learn more by visiting https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06990191.
Version: 03/11/2026