What do I do as a study participant?
- As a Veteran, you will attend about three months of treatment with a therapist. These therapy sessions take place twice a week.
- As a significant other, you will be randomly selected to attend one or multiple therapy sessions with your Veteran.
- As a team, both of you will focus on helping the Veteran approach activities and memories they have been working on 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.
- Veterans will not be asked to talk about their traumatic experiences with their partner.
- You both will be paid to answer questions about how you are doing during and following treatment.
- Veterans will receive up to $540
- Significant others will be paid up to $890
- You may both stop participating at any point if you want.
What will we do in therapy?
- Veterans and their partners will be focused on working as a team to help the Veteran approach activities and memories that they have been avoiding, and work on their mental health symptoms.
- By improving symptoms, you may see improvements in your relationship, but this is not the focus of treatment. Rather, we are focused on supporting the Veteran through your past trauma.
Will I need to talk about my trauma with my partner?
- Nope. You do not need to talk about your trauma with your partner. They will not attend any therapy sessions where we will talk to you about your trauma.
What is the time commitment?
- Veterans will participate in about three months of therapy. Sessions will be twice a week for a total of about 2 hours of therapy each week.
- Partners will be randomly selected to receive a treatment option. In one treatment option, the partner would attend a 60-minute session with the Veteran once or twice a week. In the other treatment option, the partner would be invited to join only one 90-minute session.
- Veterans and partners will both complete surveys and interviews throughout therapy and up to 6 months after therapy ends.
Will I be paid?
- Yes! You will be paid to complete surveys and interviews, which ask you about your experiences and how you are doing during and following treatment. Veterans will receive up to $890. Partners will receive up to $540. You can also earn a challenge coin for completing these surveys and interviews.
I am busy! Are there flexible options?
- Yes! We try to meet you where you are at with time and availability. We do have some availability for evening or after hour therapy sessions. We also have options for virtual therapy. If you need assistance with childcare, speak to our team to discuss options available.
Do me and my partner need to be in the same room together for therapy?
- Nope! We will work with you and your partner to attend therapy when you are in different locations!
I am interested in joining the study, but I do not receive care at one of the VA locations for this study. Can I still join?
- Yes, we are happy to provide virtual options! To participate, you will need to enroll at one of the VA locations listed. Please visit the resources page for more information about how to enroll or contact us at 612-629-7591.
I have immediate concerns about my mental health and safety. Who can I contact for 24/7 support?
If you are in need of immediate mental health support or there are concerns to your safety, please don't wait. Contact one of these resources immediately.
988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline:
- Text or call: 988
- Deaf or Hard of Hearing: https://vibrant.aslnow.io/app/8/10004
Veteran Crisis Chat:
- https://www.Veteranscrisisline.net
Veteran Crisis Text Line:
- Text: 838-255
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
- https://www.thehotline.org/
- Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Text "START" to 88788
How do I join?
Click or scan here to join the study! You may also call us at 612-629-7591 for more information.
Version: 03/11/2026