Our Process

  • Step 1: Phone Screen

    We will schedule a phone screen with you to provide details about the study and ask questions to determine if you may be a good fit. Phone screens take around 20 minutes.

  • Step 2: Intake

    After signing a consent form via email, you’ll have an intake assessment via Teams. You will be asked about your mental health and how symptoms may be affecting you. Intake appointments usually take around 3 hours. After your intake is completed, you will be notified if you qualify for a study.

  • Step 3: Study Visits

    Depending on the study, you will have different types of visits. Often, they are virtual. Study visits could include assessments of your abilities or meeting with your therapist for treatment. A team member will work with you to schedule the right visits.

  • Step 4: Follow Ups

    We like to keep track of how you are doing after treatment to better evaluate how well it worked. Complete online surveys and schedule follow up assessments at various time points. A member of the study team will let you know when your follow up visits can be expected.

Our Studies

Our Studies

Treatment Optimization Trial

Struggling after a traumatic experience? We’re conducting a research study to understand how different evidence-based PTSD treatments work for difference people- and how to improve outcomes for everyone. If you are looking for support and are interested in receiving free, high-quality virtual therapy, you may be eligible to participate.

What is this study about?
There are several evidence-based therapies that can help people with PTSD. This study is exploring how to best tailor these treatments to individual needs. We’re offering a first round of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), followed by additional care options for those who may benefit from more support.

What will participation involve?

  • Virtual format- all sessions and assessments take place online using a HIPAA-compliant software

  • Initial Treatment: Daily CPT sessions (50 minutes/day) for two weeks (10 sessions total)

  • Assessments before, during, and after treatment

  • Some participants may be offered a second course of treatment (also 2 weeks) with options including continued CPT, Prolonged Exposure, or Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR)

    • 18 and older

    • have experienced a traumatic event at any point in your lifetime

    • are experiencing PTSD symptoms (we’ll confirm with and assessment)

    • are able to attend daily virtual therapy sessions for 2 weeks

    • are open to completing surveys and interview throughout the study

    • Free, evidence-based PTSD treatment delivered by trained therapists

    • Compensation of up to $370 in Amazon gift cards for completing assessments

    • Fully virtual participation from the comfort of your home

Combining Talk Therapy with Stellate Ganglion Blocks

Looking for new options to manage your PTSD symptoms? We’re studying how combining a well-established therapy for PTSD with a short outpatient injection procedure might improve recovery for people who’ve experienced trauma.

What is this study about?
This study is testing different ways to treat PTSD, including a combination of:

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)- an effective, evidence-based talk therapy for PTSD

  • Stellate Ganglion Blocks (SGB)- a safe, outpatient injection that may help reduce PTSD symptoms by calming the body’s stress response

We’re exploring whether combining CPT and SGB helps people feel better faster and stay better longer.

What will participation involve?

  • Two short outpatient visits for injections at Rush’s Pain Clinic

  • 1 week of virtual CPT (2 sessions a day over 5 days) OR daily check-ins with study staff

  • Wearing a free Fitbit to track heart rate patterns

  • Virtual assessments before and up to 6 months after treatment

    • 18 and older

    • have experienced a traumatic event at any point in your lifetime

    • are experiencing PTSD symptoms (we’ll confirm with and assessment)

    • have not previously received a SGB

    • can commit to two in-person visits for injections at Rush’s Pain Clinic in Chicago

    • able to attend 2 CPT sessions per day for 5 days

    • Free, evidence-based PTSD treatment delivered by trained therapists

    • A Fitbit to keep during the study

    • Compensation of up to $330 in Amazon gift cards for completing study assessments