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NCT Number: NCT07707102

Advancing Skills Through Consultation, Education, and Novel Technologies

This research study tests strategies to train behavioral health providers in Written Exposure Therapy (WET), an evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There are a number of evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, most behavioral health providers have not received training in these PTSD treatments and do not offer them regularly to their patients.

The researchers hope to learn about the optimal way to train behavioral providers in this type of treatment. This study is designed to determine the comparative effectiveness of different training strategies on key outcomes such as how much competency providers develop in the therapy and to how many patients they deliver the therapy. This study will help the researchers understand if we can help more providers learn to competently delivery Written Exposure Therapy by using strategies that are more convenient and cost less money, including web-based and AI-facilitated training supports. This study will also help us learn which training strategies work best for which providers so that in the future we can make personalized training recommendations.

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Key information

Conditions

PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Combat Disorders Mental Disorders Stress Disorders, Traumatic Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas, 78229, United States

Location contact

Stefanie LoSavio, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

(210) 562-6714

About this study

This study will enroll behavioral health providers (i.e., professional therapists) and test a training program for Written Exposure Therapy that includes

  • an enhanced, web-based foundational training (web-based training plus integrated TherapyTrainer components) and
  • an AI training support tool for competency development (TherapyTrainer).

This randomized clinical trial will compare web/AI training, among providers who serve Veterans and Service Members, to standard Written Exposure Therapy training (i.e., human-delivered live workshop and consultation calls) on provider, patient, and cost-effectiveness outcomes. There is no cross-over of conditions. Providers in both conditions will be eligible to earn continuing education credits and approval as Written Exposure Therapy Providers who have completed competency based training and two training cases.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • mental health provider;
  • serves veterans and/or service members with PTSD (by self-report);
  • willing to participate in either live or web-based training.

Exclusion criteria

  • has already completed formal training in Written Exposure Therapy

Treatment and study plan

Live workshop

Behavioral

Approximately 10 hours (excluding breaks) over 2 days with a live trainer via video conferencing (e.g., Zoom)

AI-enhanced Web-based training

Behavioral

No live meetings, but approximately 8-10 hours of asynchronous training at the learner's pace over about 1 month.

Consultation video calls

Behavioral

Twelve 1-hour calls with a live therapy consultant via videoconferencing (e.g., Zoom)

TherapyTrainer

Behavioral

No live meetings, but approximately 12 hours of engaging with the AI training support tool (TherapyTrainer)

Other names: AI Training Tool

Primary outcomes

  1. Provider WET Competency

    Time frame: Baseline to 7 months

    A 20-item multiple choice treatment knowledge assessment. Higher scores indicate greater knowledge of WET.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Completion of Practice Cases

    Time frame: 4 months

    Number of participants that complete practice cases

  2. Time to complete Practice Cases

    Time frame: 4 months

    Number of days to complete two training cases (real or simulated)

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Stefanie Losavio, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

(210) 562-6714

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Other

Collaborators

  • Boston University
  • Medical University of South Carolina
  • Rush University Medical Center
  • Stanford University

Registry information

Official study title

Increasing the Reach of Evidence-Based PTSD Treatment: Development and Clinical Trial of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Facilitated, Web-Based Written Exposure Therapy Training

Acronym: ASCENT

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Jul 16, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 16, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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