PSYC/NSCI/STEM: Lecture: Dr. Rebecca Kaufman Sripada ('06)

Dr. Rebecca Kaufman Sripada (Midd NSCI ‘06 alum), Associate Professor (Univ of Michigan); Research Scientist (VA Center for Clinical Management); and Clinical Psychologist (VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System)

Lecture title: Optimizing Treatment Outcomes for Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Description: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a large and growing problem for veterans and for the VA. PTSD currently affects 23% of returning veterans, and the number of veterans seeking specialized PTSD care in the VA has increased 250% in the past 10 years. Although effective evidence-based treatments for PTSD are available, 30-50% of VA patients who engage in these treatments do not achieve adequate, clinically-meaningful response. This poor treatment response phenomenon is not well understood. The goal of Dr. Sripada’s research program is to enhance PTSD care by identifying factors associated with degree of treatment response, then developing and testing the feasibility of treatment adaptations or health services interventions to improve treatment access and treatment response.