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Brief Digital Accelerator Treatment for Gambling (BDAT) Clinician Guide and Resources Workbook
This clinician guide and resources workbook helps providers use a brief intervention to treat problem gambling.
Includes a brief video overview to introduce the intervention
Includes Excel program that simulates games of chance that can be played at an accelerated pace to demonstrate the long-term effects of gambling
Published 2019
This product is a best practice.
Guide to Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome from Alcohol for Clinicians and Veterans
These guides describe the symptoms of and treatment for post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) from alcohol for clinicians and Veterans.
Each guide defines PAWS in language appropriate for clinician and Veteran audiences.
The clinician guide describes the use of Gabapentin as a treatment for PAWS, including an example titration schedule, benefits and misuse of the medication, and how it is used in combination treatment.
The clinician guide also discusses the prevalence of substance use disorders in minority populations and disparities in consequences for substance use.
The Veteran guide describes Gabapentin as a treatment for PAWS and the side effects of the medication.
Published 2021
This product is a best practice.
Problem Gambling: Steps to Cut Down
This brochure describes gambling problems, how to briefly assess for gambling problems, and what steps can be taken to curtail the further development and continuation of gambling problems.
Uses information from the Shortened South Oaks Gambling Screen and DSM-5
Allows providers to conduct quick, on-site assessments
Educates on the existence of a gambling problem
Published 2013 | Updated 2020
The Safest Bet: A Guide to Understanding Problem Gambling for Veterans and Clinicians
This guide aims to help Veterans, VA clinicians, and others learn more about issues related to gambling and to locate additional resources for problem gambling.
Can be used in sessions with a clinician, in a group with other Veterans, or as a self-help resource
Veterans using this guide for self-help are encouraged to seek out a VHA provider or other helping professional to answer additional questions or address any concerns
Has four modules that focus on readiness to change, thinking errors and tools, recovery, and Gamblers Anonymous
Includes resource list for finding help for problem gambling
A Provider's Guide to Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The updated (second edition) of the Provider’s Guide to Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was completed in 2021. Revisions and expansions included the following:
Previous content was updated and aligned with current literature including updated supplemental readings.
NEW Modules were developed to address current and emerging clinical applications and include:
Module 5: Cultural Considerations in Therapy
Module 6: Using Technology for Distance-Based Therapy
Module 14: Exposure Therapy in Brief CBT
Module 17: Adaptations of bCBT for Special Clinical Populations (e.g. Military Populations, Older Adults, Medically Ill, and Cognitively Impaired populations)
Published 2008 | Updated 2021
This product is a best practice.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Strategies Guide for Anxiety and Trauma-Related Problems in Living
This guide supplements the current VA Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) for ACT for Depression (ACT-D) protocol. It includes information and treatment materials relevant to anxiety and trauma-related disorders. It is meant for clinicians with training and experience in the ACT model, such as ACT-D EBP or similar training. This is not a treatment protocol.
The guide starts with a discussion of clinical anxiety and exposure therapy from an ACT perspective. It includes case examples.
It is organized into sections according to the core ACT processes.
The introductory sections:
Give clinicians a brief overview of each process as it relates to anxiety and trauma.
Suggest uses for the handouts and exercises.
List exercises and activities from the VA’s ACT Coach and Mindfulness Coach mobile/tablet applications to support work relevant to process areas.
The handouts and exercises for Veterans:
Were developed by the authors or adapted from various empirically supported ACT protocols for anxiety, trauma, and depression.
May be selected and used by clinicians as needed for individual case conceptualization with Veterans.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
An All-Encompassing Approach to Treating Anxiety and Related Disorders: A Safety Aid Reduction Treatment Manual (START)
This manual is designed to be used by clinicians who have experience delivering cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The manual provides implementation guidelines for this transdiagnostic treatment, which is designed to target various anxiety and related disorders via the identification and elimination of safety aids.
This treatment program consists of 10 weekly, group-based sessions, each lasting one hour.
The manual is divided into chapters, each corresponding to a treatment session. Each chapter includes a materials list, session outline, treatment information and techniques, as well as homework.
It will be important to monitor Veterans’ progress throughout treatment and share the results with them to assess their progress over time. This can be accomplished by having Veterans complete disorder- specific self-report measures at regular intervals in addition to the provided "Safety Behavior Assessment Form."
Given the importance of therapeutic rapport to treatment success, it will be essential to foster an environment in which the Veteran feels safe and respected.
Published 2021
This product is a best practice.
Calmer Life Program
Treatment materials for adults aged 50 and over with worry and stress. Includes:
Community workshop curriculum
Clinician intervention manual
Participant workbook
Enhanced community care (information and resource counseling) template
Multi-Setting Peaceful Mind: A Manual to Aid in the Management of Anxiety in Veterans with Memory Impairment
This easy-to-follow manual outlines an evidence-supported cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment for anxiety for older Veterans with dementia or cognitive impairment.
Includes worksheets for patients
Published 2013 | Updated 2020
This product is an evidence-based practice.
MyBriefCBT
The MyBriefCBT program was developed to improve access and delivery of evidence-based psychotherapies (EBP) in clinical settings that demand rapid or time-limited interventions. Brief CBT was designed to address depressive symptoms and can be delivered in 3-6 sessions. Brief CBT uses measurement-based care and variable treatment intensity models to streamline the psychotherapy process while respecting the needs of patients. This patient-centered approach to care can also be seen in the way in which the program leverages a flexible skills-based approach that allows providers and patients to select and inform their process of care. Currently, the MyBriefCBT program is being implemented within several Veterans Health Administration Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) across the United States. The MyBriefCBT program includes:
A provider manual and patient workbook that is separated into six sections focused on different skills for mood and well-being.
Each skill area can be a focus of the work done during a session.
Every skill area does not have to be completed. Patients and clinicians can focus on areas that will be the most beneficial.
The final section of the workbook contains extra copies of the worksheets and monitoring forms that will be presented in each skill area.
Published 2021
This product is an evidence-based practice.
OCD and Related Disorders SharePoint
This VA SharePoint is a place for mental health providers to find resources on the assessment and behavioral treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders.
Discusses hoarding disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, excoriation disorder, trichotillomania, and obsessive compulsive personality disorder
VA SharePoint can only be accessed by VA employees from a VA computer
Includes a fact sheet (available to everyone) about the differential diagnosis between OCD and PTSD
Published 2018
Self-Help STOP WORRY: A Tool for Older Veterans
This is a user-friendly, guided cognitive behavioral treatment of generalized anxiety disorder for Veterans 60 years of age or older who experience high levels of worry and anxiety (CD is no longer available).
The workbooks contain eight chapters detailing skills, including anxiety education and awareness, relaxation (Diaphragmatic Breathing and Progressive Muscle Relaxation [PMR]), problem solving, cognitive therapy, exposure and behavioral sleep management.
Self-help workbook contains practice exercises and forms to monitor progress
Workbook may be used independently or as a part of formal treatment
Published 2011 | Updated 2020
This product is a best practice.
Stress Less: Relaxation Enhancement Group Manuals
This brief relaxation intervention is meant to provide short-term symptom relief for anxiety and stress.
Recommended as an adjunct to established first-line treatment approaches
Includes manuals for therapists and Veterans
Therapist manual covers a comprehensive Relaxation Enhancement protocol that includes relaxation practices, resources, strategies, and a log
Veteran manual can serve as a self-help resource to identify reasons to stress less
Updated 2019
This product is a best practice.
Updated Calmer Life Program for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Anxiety
Updated Calmer Life manuals were published in 2024. These materials adapted and reworked the original Calmer Life Program to become “practice-ready” and include illustrations, modified patient vignettes, and changes to language and style. The patient manual includes more detailed instructions for utilizing the resources as guided self-help and completing homework assignments that correspond to each skill. The reworked materials were the result of a collaboration between Maribel Plasencia, PhD, Raquel D. Gonzalez, BA, Nicte Donis, BS, Jennifer Lee, BA, and Jeffrey Cully, PhD. Illustrations were created by Raquel D. Gonzalez, BA.
This product is a best practice.
Veteran Wellness Toolkit
This toolkit is for Veterans who want to learn tools to improve their wellness.
Part of a Whole Health approach to Veterans’ well-being.
Self-paced.
Self-directed (does not require a mental health professional to use).
Sections include goal setting, understanding health, wellness tools, and additional resources.
Includes practical wellness tools, such as self-compassion, gratitude, thinking positively, and eating for vitality.
Bariatric surgery can have a positive impact on Veterans’ health and well-being. This self-help guide is for Veterans who are thinking about bariatric surgery and want to gain mental health skills and make their environments healthier. Their behaviors and mental health will directly affect outcomes of bariatric surgery. Making changes to their daily lives will help them succeed in their recovery after surgery. The guide:
Explains important considerations for bariatric surgery and the types of professional support Veterans can receive from their VA healthcare team before and after surgery.
Provides tools for setting goals to make bariatric surgery a success.
Reviews pre- and post-concerns to consider before having bariatric surgery.
Details the relationship between mental health and bariatric surgery.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
Behavioral Medicine Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Referral Toolkit for Gastroenterology Providers
This toolkit helps gastroenterology providers identify the best candidates for behavioral medicine services and provide guidance for the referral process.
Decision support tools
Tips for educating patients about behavioral medicine treatment
Patient information about what irritable bowel syndrome is and how to manage it
Published 2018
This product is a best practice.
HERO: Healthy Emotions and ImpRoving Health Behavior Outcomes
The HERO program is a participant-centered integrated behavioral health treatment to improve psychological symptoms, health behaviors, and weight management among obese Veterans with coexisting emotional distress.
Includes clinician manual and Veteran workbook
Has six core and two elective sessions
Personalized and accessible
Includes scripts for clinicians to assist with teaching skills in the workbook
Published 2018
This product is a best practice.
The Great Outdoors: Engaging with Nature for Mental Health
These materials support Veterans by helping them engage in positive and healthy nature-based activities. The materials integrate the science of the benefits of engaging with nature, with the well-established approaches of behavioral activation, mindfulness, and other positive psychology exercises. The clinician manual supports the delivery of a very brief (1-2 session) or brief (3-5) session intervention in a variety of settings. The Veteran guide can be used as part of a clinician-delivered intervention, or as a self-help intervention. The material:.
Provides an overview of the science on the benefits of nature engagement and greenspace exposure.
Includes an activity to review one's past and current engagement in nature.
Integrates principles of motivational interviewing to resolve ambivalence.
Encourages value identification/prioritization and discovering nature-based activities that can support living out those values.
Uses goal setting, activity scheduling, and behavior monitoring to help Veterans increase their nature engagement.
Provides links to guided audio exercises, including 5 mindfulness exercises, 1 savoring exercise, and 2 guided imagery exercises.
This brochure is intended to help families and caregivers of Veterans understand and manage delirium.
Defines delirium and how it differs from dementia.
Outlines risk factors for and symptoms of delirium.
Provides tips for family members and caregivers on what to do if they detect delirium in Veterans.
Describes how medical teams address delirium and what happens after discharge.
Published 2015 | Updated 2022
Management of Dementia Related Behaviors
Dementia related behaviors include wandering, impulsivity, problems with sleep and appetite, feelings of depression, suicidal thoughts, and many others. These brochures help caregivers and providers identify and manage dementia-related behaviors.
Caregiver brochure defines dementia related behaviors, describes causes and treatments for these behaviors, and lists tips and services to encourage caregiver wellness.
Provider brochure is available in pocket and letter sizes and describes evaluation, contributing factors, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of dementia related behaviors.
Both brochures highlight resources for support.
Published 2020
This product is a best practice.
Multi-Setting Peaceful Mind: A Manual to Aid in the Management of Anxiety in Veterans with Memory Impairment
This easy-to-follow manual outlines an evidence-supported cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment for anxiety for older Veterans with dementia or cognitive impairment.
Includes worksheets for patients
Published 2013 | Updated 2020
This product is an evidence-based practice.
PACERS Course 1: Dementia and Delirium (1 HOUR CEU)
Learn how to define delirium and dementia according to DSM-5 criteria.
Identify the signs symptoms, evaluation, and treatment of delirium and dementia/dementia subtypes
Indicate differences between delirium and dementia
This video helps providers identify and address driving and can be used to educate families and Veterans and provide strategies about stopping driving. Published 2016.
This product is a best practice.
PACERS Video: How to Deliver the Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease
This video shows how to deliver the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease with compassion.
Self-neglect is the most common form of elder abuse reported to Adult Protective Services. This video shows how to identify the warning signs of self-neglect. Published 2017.
This product is a best practice.
Persons with Dementia: Skills for Addressing Challenging Behaviors
Learn how to address challenging behaviors in dementia.
Complementary and Alternative Approaches to Treating Headaches
These educational videos and brochures explain complementary and alternative approaches to treating headaches (chiropractic, biofeedback, acupuncture).
Includes Veteran and clinician brochures for each treatment approach.
Videos are brief (5-10 minutes) and explain how each approach may be used to decrease headache symptoms for Veteran and clinician audiences.
A Provider's Guide to Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The updated (second edition) of the Provider’s Guide to Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was completed in 2021. Revisions and expansions included the following:
Previous content was updated and aligned with current literature including updated supplemental readings.
NEW Modules were developed to address current and emerging clinical applications and include:
Module 5: Cultural Considerations in Therapy
Module 6: Using Technology for Distance-Based Therapy
Module 14: Exposure Therapy in Brief CBT
Module 17: Adaptations of bCBT for Special Clinical Populations (e.g. Military Populations, Older Adults, Medically Ill, and Cognitively Impaired populations)
Published 2008 | Updated 2021
This product is a best practice.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Strategies Guide
This is a practical guide for clinicians who want to use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression (CBT-D) with Veterans.
Can be used as an additional resource to "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression in Veterans and Military Service Members: Therapy Manual" (Wenzel, A., Brown, G. K., & Karlin, B. E., 2011)
Has sections for initial, middle, and later phases of CBT
Includes handouts for Veterans that can reinforce and validate ideas presented in session or serve as transitional objects as preparation for discharge and relapse prevention planning
Published 2019
This product is a best practice.
Gulf War Illness: Explaining Unexplained Symptoms
This brochure describes the causes, symptoms, and treatment for Gulf War Illness.
Describes 3 diagnostic categories used to classify symptoms: fatigue, pain, and mood/cognitive difficulties
Describes treatment options for Gulf War Illness at VA
Provides registration information for the Gulf War Illness Registry
Published 2019
Living with Purpose: A Guide for Getting More Out of Each Day
Many Veterans with depression do not engage in psychotherapy because of barriers like busy work schedules, chronic health conditions, or lack of transportation. This self-help workbook for mild to moderate depression provides an alternative that may better fit into Veterans’ busy lives.
Includes a clinician guide that provides a brief overview of the Veteran self-help workbook and behavioral activation.
Helpful as an adjunct to psychotherapy, allowing Veterans to learn skills independently between sessions. This allows the clinician to use face-to-face time to teach more advanced coping skills.
Incorporates behavioral activation and goal setting to get Veterans more active and more involved in rewarding activities.
Beneficial for Veterans with mild to moderate depression who are interested in self-management or those who may have mild comorbid disorders such as anxiety or PTSD.
Published 2013 | Updated 2023
This product is an evidence-based practice.
Major Depressive Disorder: Selecting a Psychotherapy that's Right for You
Selecting a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) is a personal decision. There is no one treatment that is “right” for everyone. This guide helps Veterans learn about different treatments for MDD and then consider the pros and cons of each.
Defines MDD and psychotherapy options for treatment in the VA, including acceptance and commitment therapy for depression (ACT-D), cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression (CBT-D), and interpersonal psychotherapy for depression (IPT-D).
Helps Veterans talk to their providers about when psychotherapy alone, medication alone, or a combination of both is needed to treat MDD based on the severity of their symptoms.
Describes self-management strategies for mild levels of MDD that can be used by Veterans.
Highlights treatment options for Veterans with MDD who have other co-occurring mental health conditions like PTSD, pain, and insomnia.
Published 2021
MyBriefCBT
The MyBriefCBT program was developed to improve access and delivery of evidence-based psychotherapies (EBP) in clinical settings that demand rapid or time-limited interventions. Brief CBT was designed to address depressive symptoms and can be delivered in 3-6 sessions. Brief CBT uses measurement-based care and variable treatment intensity models to streamline the psychotherapy process while respecting the needs of patients. This patient-centered approach to care can also be seen in the way in which the program leverages a flexible skills-based approach that allows providers and patients to select and inform their process of care. Currently, the MyBriefCBT program is being implemented within several Veterans Health Administration Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) across the United States. The MyBriefCBT program includes:
A provider manual and patient workbook that is separated into six sections focused on different skills for mood and well-being.
Each skill area can be a focus of the work done during a session.
Every skill area does not have to be completed. Patients and clinicians can focus on areas that will be the most beneficial.
The final section of the workbook contains extra copies of the worksheets and monitoring forms that will be presented in each skill area.
Two Sides of the Same Coin: Cultural Humility and Addressing Microaggressions and Discriminatory Requests
This guide provides core information and is intended to be a quick reference of important concepts regarding cultural humility practices and responding to microaggressions and discriminatory requests from individuals.
Describes culture and its impact on healthcare, equity and cross-cultural engagement.
Encourages clinicians to practice cultural humility with patients through tools that include the CRASH model, Kleinmann's 8 questions, and a brief demonstration video.
Discusses discriminatory histories in healthcare and clinician- and patient-level barriers that influence care.
Defines microaggressions and provides strategies to respond to discriminatory requests by patients.
A Provider's Guide to Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The updated (second edition) of the Provider’s Guide to Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was completed in 2021. Revisions and expansions included the following:
Previous content was updated and aligned with current literature including updated supplemental readings.
NEW Modules were developed to address current and emerging clinical applications and include:
Module 5: Cultural Considerations in Therapy
Module 6: Using Technology for Distance-Based Therapy
Module 14: Exposure Therapy in Brief CBT
Module 17: Adaptations of bCBT for Special Clinical Populations (e.g. Military Populations, Older Adults, Medically Ill, and Cognitively Impaired populations)
Published 2008 | Updated 2021
This product is a best practice.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Animated Review
These six brief videos walk learners through the ACT Hexaflex.
Acceptance
Defusion
Self as context
Contact with the present moment
Values
Committed action
Published 2015
This product is a best practice.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for PTSD
Aids clinicians in implementing a 10-week acceptance and commitment therapy group for Veterans with trauma-related disorders. Includes:
Clinician manual with detailed session-by-session guidelines
Veteran Handbook with notes and homework
Guidance in using the ACT framework to introduce Veterans to exposure therapy
Published 2017
This product is a best practice.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Strategies Guide for Anxiety and Trauma-Related Problems in Living
This guide supplements the current VA Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) for ACT for Depression (ACT-D) protocol. It includes information and treatment materials relevant to anxiety and trauma-related disorders. It is meant for clinicians with training and experience in the ACT model, such as ACT-D EBP or similar training. This is not a treatment protocol.
The guide starts with a discussion of clinical anxiety and exposure therapy from an ACT perspective. It includes case examples.
It is organized into sections according to the core ACT processes.
The introductory sections:
Give clinicians a brief overview of each process as it relates to anxiety and trauma.
Suggest uses for the handouts and exercises.
List exercises and activities from the VA’s ACT Coach and Mindfulness Coach mobile/tablet applications to support work relevant to process areas.
The handouts and exercises for Veterans:
Were developed by the authors or adapted from various empirically supported ACT protocols for anxiety, trauma, and depression.
May be selected and used by clinicians as needed for individual case conceptualization with Veterans.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
ACCESS: Adjusting to Chronic Conditions with Education, Support, and Skills
ACCESS is a psychosocial intervention specifically designed to address the physical and emotional issues faced by chronically ill patients. The goals of the intervention are to empower individuals via patient-centered education, teach self-management strategies, and use goals and action plans to increase skill use and success.
Involves six active treatment sessions (weekly meetings of 45-60 minutes for session 1, and 30-45 minutes for sessions 2-6).
Content in sessions 3-6 is flexible, allowing the flexibility to spend more than one session on focused skills, as needed.
Follow-up booster sessions (10-to 15-minute phone calls) are used to help solidify changes over time.
The length of the total treatment (active treatment and boosters) is 16 weeks.
Published 2015 | Updated 2022
This product is an evidence-based practice.
ACT on Health Toolkit
The ACT on Health Toolkit helps VA medical center mental health leadership and clinicians implement 1-day acceptance and commitment training (ACT) workshops in community-based settings.
Supports collaboration between VA staff and partners at community-based organizations.
Provides brief overview of ACT and the ACT evidence base.
Toolkit organized into the workshop’s implementation phases:
Establishing community partnerships
Obtaining training and skills for workshop clinicians
Organizing and conducting workshops
Options for offering virtual online workshops and follow-up ‘drop-in’ sessions for Veterans who complete a workshop
Methods for gathering evaluation data if desired
Resources section details products that can be used to engage VA/community stakeholders and workshop participants.
Includes links to online trainings and cyber-seminars. Also has links to brief videos to publicize the workshops and train ACT clinicians.
NOT a “how-to” guide on becoming an ACT therapist.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
An All-Encompassing Approach to Treating Anxiety and Related Disorders: A Safety Aid Reduction Treatment Manual (START)
This manual is designed to be used by clinicians who have experience delivering cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The manual provides implementation guidelines for this transdiagnostic treatment, which is designed to target various anxiety and related disorders via the identification and elimination of safety aids.
This treatment program consists of 10 weekly, group-based sessions, each lasting one hour.
The manual is divided into chapters, each corresponding to a treatment session. Each chapter includes a materials list, session outline, treatment information and techniques, as well as homework.
It will be important to monitor Veterans’ progress throughout treatment and share the results with them to assess their progress over time. This can be accomplished by having Veterans complete disorder- specific self-report measures at regular intervals in addition to the provided "Safety Behavior Assessment Form."
Given the importance of therapeutic rapport to treatment success, it will be essential to foster an environment in which the Veteran feels safe and respected.
Published 2021
This product is a best practice.
Brief Digital Accelerator Treatment for Gambling (BDAT) Clinician Guide and Resources Workbook
This clinician guide and resources workbook helps providers use a brief intervention to treat problem gambling.
Includes a brief video overview to introduce the intervention
Includes Excel program that simulates games of chance that can be played at an accelerated pace to demonstrate the long-term effects of gambling
Published 2019
This product is a best practice.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Strategies Guide
This is a practical guide for clinicians who want to use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression (CBT-D) with Veterans.
Can be used as an additional resource to "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression in Veterans and Military Service Members: Therapy Manual" (Wenzel, A., Brown, G. K., & Karlin, B. E., 2011)
Has sections for initial, middle, and later phases of CBT
Includes handouts for Veterans that can reinforce and validate ideas presented in session or serve as transitional objects as preparation for discharge and relapse prevention planning
Published 2019
This product is a best practice.
Complementary and Alternative Approaches to Treating Headaches
These educational videos and brochures explain complementary and alternative approaches to treating headaches (chiropractic, biofeedback, acupuncture).
Includes Veteran and clinician brochures for each treatment approach.
Videos are brief (5-10 minutes) and explain how each approach may be used to decrease headache symptoms for Veteran and clinician audiences.
Published 2021
Courage Group
The Courage Group was developed as a 12-week outpatient therapy group for Veterans who had experienced sexual trauma by Drs. Dana Foley and Michelle Sherman in 1995. This included Veterans with a history of childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault in adulthood, and military sexual trauma (MST). This educational group draws on cognitive and behavioral principles to promote healing, self-discovery, and self-efficacy. The revised manual includes:
Specific information about the experience of MST and its impact on functioning.
Addition of four new topic areas – “Surviving Military Sexual Trauma,” “Grief and Loss,” “Self-forgiveness,” and “Moving Forward.”
A modular design that allows clinicians to vary the length of treatment according to specific group needs or the clinical setting (e.g., specialty mental health, primary care).
Removal of imaginal exposure from the treatment protocol.
A new companion patient workbook that includes all in-session activities and recommended homework assignments. This workbook is intended to supplement treatment. It should NOT be used as a self-help guide.
Published 1995 | Updated 2021
This product is an evidence-based practice.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy: A Visual Review
Video training on DBT program modules (individual therapy, group therapy, consultation team, and phone coaching) and skills (mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation).
Training consists of 2 videos (totaling 1.5 hours) and handouts
Geared towards mental health clinicians who want to learn more about DBT or enhance their current practices
Can be viewed by clients or used during individual or group DBT therapy to provide psychoeducation
Published 2017
This product is a best practice.
Get Moving and Get Well Manual
This manual was developed for Veterans living with psychotic disorders, major depression, bipolar disorder, and severe posttraumatic stress disorder who have difficulty identifying and making use of opportunities for physical activity.
Helps individuals take positive steps to increase a general sense of well-being and promote improved mental and physical health.
Has been updated with sections on weight stigma, mindful self-compassion, mindful walking, and forest bathing.
Focuses on overcoming barriers to physical activity in rural communities.
Includes recommendations for how to conduct GMGW in situations where telehealth and/or social distancing is required to maintain the safety of participants and the community.
Designed to be delivered in two parts over half a year; Part I consists of 60-minute classes scheduled twice a week for 16 weeks and Part II is 8 weeks.
Updated 2020
This product is a best practice.
HERO: Healthy Emotions and ImpRoving Health Behavior Outcomes
The HERO program is a participant-centered integrated behavioral health treatment to improve psychological symptoms, health behaviors, and weight management among obese Veterans with coexisting emotional distress.
Includes clinician manual and Veteran workbook
Has six core and two elective sessions
Personalized and accessible
Includes scripts for clinicians to assist with teaching skills in the workbook
Published 2018
This product is a best practice.
Living with Purpose: A Guide for Getting More Out of Each Day
Many Veterans with depression do not engage in psychotherapy because of barriers like busy work schedules, chronic health conditions, or lack of transportation. This self-help workbook for mild to moderate depression provides an alternative that may better fit into Veterans’ busy lives.
Includes a clinician guide that provides a brief overview of the Veteran self-help workbook and behavioral activation.
Helpful as an adjunct to psychotherapy, allowing Veterans to learn skills independently between sessions. This allows the clinician to use face-to-face time to teach more advanced coping skills.
Incorporates behavioral activation and goal setting to get Veterans more active and more involved in rewarding activities.
Beneficial for Veterans with mild to moderate depression who are interested in self-management or those who may have mild comorbid disorders such as anxiety or PTSD.
Published 2013 | Updated 2023
This product is an evidence-based practice.
Multi-Setting Peaceful Mind: A Manual to Aid in the Management of Anxiety in Veterans with Memory Impairment
This easy-to-follow manual outlines an evidence-supported cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment for anxiety for older Veterans with dementia or cognitive impairment.
Includes worksheets for patients
Published 2013 | Updated 2020
This product is an evidence-based practice.
MyBriefCBT
The MyBriefCBT program was developed to improve access and delivery of evidence-based psychotherapies (EBP) in clinical settings that demand rapid or time-limited interventions. Brief CBT was designed to address depressive symptoms and can be delivered in 3-6 sessions. Brief CBT uses measurement-based care and variable treatment intensity models to streamline the psychotherapy process while respecting the needs of patients. This patient-centered approach to care can also be seen in the way in which the program leverages a flexible skills-based approach that allows providers and patients to select and inform their process of care. Currently, the MyBriefCBT program is being implemented within several Veterans Health Administration Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) across the United States. The MyBriefCBT program includes:
A provider manual and patient workbook that is separated into six sections focused on different skills for mood and well-being.
Each skill area can be a focus of the work done during a session.
Every skill area does not have to be completed. Patients and clinicians can focus on areas that will be the most beneficial.
The final section of the workbook contains extra copies of the worksheets and monitoring forms that will be presented in each skill area.
Published 2021
This product is an evidence-based practice.
Pro Tips for Coaching webSTAIR: A Transdiagnostic Web-based Program for Veterans Exposed to Trauma
webSTAIR is a Veteran-facing online version of Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR), which was developed for individuals who have experienced trauma. webSTAIR combines self-paced online training modules and virtual coaching sessions to support real-life skill application to improve emotion regulation, relationship functioning, and quality of life for Veterans who have experienced a trauma. The goal of this training manual is to increase the reach of webSTAIR to Veterans with mild-to-moderate levels of trauma-related symptoms.
Provides an introduction to webSTAIR and describes who is a good fit for the program, available models, and considerations when introducing Veterans to webSTAIR.
Helps clinicians navigate the webSTAIR program clinician and Veteran dashboards, features, progress monitor, resources, toolbox, course list, user achievement badges, and module content.
webSTAIR is not an appropriate intervention for Veterans with severe mental health problems, or with primary clinical concerns that would be best treated by a specific type of intervention (such as Exposure Response Prevention for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Panic Disorder).
Published 2023
This product is an evidence-based practice.
Psychotherapy Options for Veterans with Psychosis Brochures
These brochures explain psychosocial interventions that can be helpful in the treatment of Veterans with psychosis.
Includes Veteran brochure that describes psychosis and what to expect during four treatment interventions
Includes clinician brochure that describes four psychosocial interventions for treating psychosis
Published 2019
Self-Help STOP WORRY: A Tool for Older Veterans
This is a user-friendly, guided cognitive behavioral treatment of generalized anxiety disorder for Veterans 60 years of age or older who experience high levels of worry and anxiety (CD is no longer available).
The workbooks contain eight chapters detailing skills, including anxiety education and awareness, relaxation (Diaphragmatic Breathing and Progressive Muscle Relaxation [PMR]), problem solving, cognitive therapy, exposure and behavioral sleep management.
Self-help workbook contains practice exercises and forms to monitor progress
Workbook may be used independently or as a part of formal treatment
Published 2011 | Updated 2020
This product is a best practice.
Sexual Health for Women Veterans
This brochure describes VA services that support women's sexual health and overall well-being.
Provides information about women's services available at VA, including birth control, immunizations, and health screenings and medications.
Encourages women Veterans to discuss VA sexual health services with their clinician.
Published 2023
Stress Less: Relaxation Enhancement Group Manuals
This brief relaxation intervention is meant to provide short-term symptom relief for anxiety and stress.
Recommended as an adjunct to established first-line treatment approaches
Includes manuals for therapists and Veterans
Therapist manual covers a comprehensive Relaxation Enhancement protocol that includes relaxation practices, resources, strategies, and a log
Veteran manual can serve as a self-help resource to identify reasons to stress less
Updated 2019
This product is a best practice.
Taking the First Step: Psychotherapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Veterans may have questions when discussing PTSD treatment options with their clinicians. This educational brochure for Veterans provides information about PTSD-focused psychotherapy at VA to address common questions. Content includes:
Definition of PTSD
Reasons to consider PTSD psychotherapy
What to expect when starting treatment
Addressing common barriers to starting PTSD psychotherapy
Online resources
Published 2023
The Safest Bet: A Guide to Understanding Problem Gambling for Veterans and Clinicians
This guide aims to help Veterans, VA clinicians, and others learn more about issues related to gambling and to locate additional resources for problem gambling.
Can be used in sessions with a clinician, in a group with other Veterans, or as a self-help resource
Veterans using this guide for self-help are encouraged to seek out a VHA provider or other helping professional to answer additional questions or address any concerns
Has four modules that focus on readiness to change, thinking errors and tools, recovery, and Gamblers Anonymous
Includes resource list for finding help for problem gambling
Updated 2019
This product is a best practice.
Veteran Parenting Toolkits
This toolkit includes five sets of age-specific parenting materials.
Good for young Veteran parents and their partners
Published 2010
This product is a best practice.
Walking to Wellness: Exercise for Physical and Emotional Health
This walking program is for Veterans who want to use exercise to help manage their emotional symptoms and improve their physical health. Program materials were completely revised and updated in 2023.
For Veterans experiencing mild to moderate stress, anxiety or depression symptoms.
Workbook can be used alone as a self-help guide.
Includes exercise tip sheets, activity planning worksheets, and personal logs to record experiences.
Features new supplemental guides for mindful walking and walking with a caregiver:
Integrating Mindfulness Into Walking Activities defines mindfulness and how to use mindfulness techniques when walking.
Caregiver Walking Together has information and suggestions to help caregivers walk with someone who has dementia or other cognitive impairment.
Facilitator manual provides current scientific background on exercise and mental health and gives suggestions for using the materials with individuals and groups.
The ACT on Health Toolkit helps VA medical center mental health leadership and clinicians implement 1-day acceptance and commitment training (ACT) workshops in community-based settings.
Supports collaboration between VA staff and partners at community-based organizations.
Provides brief overview of ACT and the ACT evidence base.
Toolkit organized into the workshop’s implementation phases:
Establishing community partnerships
Obtaining training and skills for workshop clinicians
Organizing and conducting workshops
Options for offering virtual online workshops and follow-up ‘drop-in’ sessions for Veterans who complete a workshop
Methods for gathering evaluation data if desired
Resources section details products that can be used to engage VA/community stakeholders and workshop participants.
Includes links to online trainings and cyber-seminars. Also has links to brief videos to publicize the workshops and train ACT clinicians.
NOT a “how-to” guide on becoming an ACT therapist.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
Bariatric Surgery: A Path to Success
Bariatric surgery can have a positive impact on Veterans’ health and well-being. This self-help guide is for Veterans who are thinking about bariatric surgery and want to gain mental health skills and make their environments healthier. Their behaviors and mental health will directly affect outcomes of bariatric surgery. Making changes to their daily lives will help them succeed in their recovery after surgery. The guide:
Explains important considerations for bariatric surgery and the types of professional support Veterans can receive from their VA healthcare team before and after surgery.
Provides tools for setting goals to make bariatric surgery a success.
Reviews pre- and post-concerns to consider before having bariatric surgery.
Details the relationship between mental health and bariatric surgery.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
Behavioral Medicine Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Referral Toolkit for Gastroenterology Providers
This toolkit helps gastroenterology providers identify the best candidates for behavioral medicine services and provide guidance for the referral process.
Decision support tools
Tips for educating patients about behavioral medicine treatment
Patient information about what irritable bowel syndrome is and how to manage it
Published 2018
This product is a best practice.
Caregiver Voice Hearing Experience: A Mental Health Symptom Training
This recovery-oriented training helps caregivers understand the myths and facts, symptoms, and experience of psychosis.
Gives caregivers the chance to experience "hearing voices" in an audio exercise.
Includes a step-by-step instruction manual, caregiver guide, and slide presentation for providers to deliver the training.
Trainers should be well-informed about the illnesses in which psychosis is prominent.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
Collaborative Safety Planning for Older Adults
The manual is a collection of best practices and practical tips for safety planning, with a focus on issues that are common in older adult patients.
Best practices and practical tips for safety planning, with a focus on issues that are common in older adult patients
Increases the quality of safety plans and the likelihood that they will be understood and used by Veterans
Includes video that gives overview of the safety planning and how to use the manual
Published 2016
This product is a best practice.
Major Depressive Disorder: Selecting a Psychotherapy that's Right for You
Selecting a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) is a personal decision. There is no one treatment that is “right” for everyone. This guide helps Veterans learn about different treatments for MDD and then consider the pros and cons of each.
Defines MDD and psychotherapy options for treatment in the VA, including acceptance and commitment therapy for depression (ACT-D), cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression (CBT-D), and interpersonal psychotherapy for depression (IPT-D).
Helps Veterans talk to their providers about when psychotherapy alone, medication alone, or a combination of both is needed to treat MDD based on the severity of their symptoms.
Describes self-management strategies for mild levels of MDD that can be used by Veterans.
Highlights treatment options for Veterans with MDD who have other co-occurring mental health conditions like PTSD, pain, and insomnia.
Published 2021
Provider Communication: Education and Practice in a Veterans Healthcare System
This training video and facilitator guide addresses provider-patient communication within the VA system.
Provides concrete and empirically supported techniques
Interactive sections help providers share effective communication techniques
Veterans are encouraged to use support from family, friends, and peers
Published 2016
This product is a best practice.
Taking the First Step: Psychotherapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Veterans may have questions when discussing PTSD treatment options with their clinicians. This educational brochure for Veterans provides information about PTSD-focused psychotherapy at VA to address common questions. Content includes:
Definition of PTSD
Reasons to consider PTSD psychotherapy
What to expect when starting treatment
Addressing common barriers to starting PTSD psychotherapy
COMPASS: Vocational Materials for Veterans with Barriers to Employment
The job search process can be, and often is, a stressful experience for Veterans, especially if they have a history of felonies. Concern over rejection, fear of new experiences, feeling unqualified, and explaining their history are just some of the feelings that can occur. COMPASS is a job readiness course for Veterans seeking employment.
Includes a manual that covers topics such as skills, job applications, resumes, interviews, networking, and more.
Has 21 videos that demonstrate job readiness concepts that are discussed in the manual.
The manual will take you step by step through a process of identifying your interests, naming your weaknesses, and exploring options.
Particularly useful for Veterans with legal barriers to employment.
The Courage Group was developed as a 12-week outpatient therapy group for Veterans who had experienced sexual trauma by Drs. Dana Foley and Michelle Sherman in 1995. This included Veterans with a history of childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault in adulthood, and military sexual trauma (MST). This educational group draws on cognitive and behavioral principles to promote healing, self-discovery, and self-efficacy. The revised manual includes:
Specific information about the experience of MST and its impact on functioning.
Addition of four new topic areas – “Surviving Military Sexual Trauma,” “Grief and Loss,” “Self-forgiveness,” and “Moving Forward.”
A modular design that allows clinicians to vary the length of treatment according to specific group needs or the clinical setting (e.g., specialty mental health, primary care).
Removal of imaginal exposure from the treatment protocol.
A new companion patient workbook that includes all in-session activities and recommended homework assignments. This workbook is intended to supplement treatment. It should NOT be used as a self-help guide.
Published 1995 | Updated 2021
This product is an evidence-based practice.
Sexual Health After Military Sexual Trauma
These brochures for women and men raise awareness of the prevalence of sexual dysfunction after military sexual trauma (MST) and provide information on assessment and treatment of the disorder.
Includes brochures for providers and Veterans
Defines MST, sexual health, and sexual dysfunction
Veteran brochure describes sexual problems, the effects of MST on sexual health, resources, and how to get help at the VA
Provider brochure details DSM-5 and ICD-10 classifications for sexual dysfunction, provides tips on asking Veterans about sexual health, and lists resources for treatment, including the VA MST consultation program
This four-week program is a time-limited psychoeducational “standalone” group that can be offered either virtually or in person to provide information about moral injury. The curriculum, which includes a facilitator guide and program handbook, provides information for chaplains and mental health clinicians on leading a Moral Injury Psychoeducation Group. The group may be led by chaplains, clinicians, church clergy specializing in pastoral care or mental health ministry with Veterans, or trained para-professionals such as NAMI volunteers or Veteran peer support specialists who have participated in the course.
The program is designed to introduce core concepts related to moral injury and prepare Veterans for more intensive therapy for moral injury, if desired and available.
The program handbook is used to conduct the sessions.
Sessions are nonthreatening and focus on education as opposed to group process or self-revelation.
The facilitator guide includes helpful hints, clinical examples, potential pitfalls, and ways to appropriately involve Veterans during group sessions.
Complementary and Alternative Approaches to Treating Headaches
These educational videos and brochures explain complementary and alternative approaches to treating headaches (chiropractic, biofeedback, acupuncture).
Includes Veteran and clinician brochures for each treatment approach.
Videos are brief (5-10 minutes) and explain how each approach may be used to decrease headache symptoms for Veteran and clinician audiences.
Published 2021
Gulf War Illness: Explaining Unexplained Symptoms
This brochure describes the causes, symptoms, and treatment for Gulf War Illness.
Describes 3 diagnostic categories used to classify symptoms: fatigue, pain, and mood/cognitive difficulties
Describes treatment options for Gulf War Illness at VA
Provides registration information for the Gulf War Illness Registry
Published 2019
Pocket Guide for Clinicians for Management of Chronic Pain
Helps primary care clinicians and trainees gain a basic understanding of pain and facilitate early assessment and interventions. Includes:
Brief synopsis of the various aspects of pain management
Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions known to be effective for pain management
Overview of Stepped Care Model for Pain Management
Published 2017 | Revised 2023
This product is a best practice.
Veterans Tai Chi for Pain and Stress
This video is a basic introduction to Tai Chi for Veterans and created by Veterans.
Can be used for mental, emotional and physical health
Helpful for people with limited ability to exercise
The Courage Group was developed as a 12-week outpatient therapy group for Veterans who had experienced sexual trauma by Drs. Dana Foley and Michelle Sherman in 1995. This included Veterans with a history of childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault in adulthood, and military sexual trauma (MST). This educational group draws on cognitive and behavioral principles to promote healing, self-discovery, and self-efficacy. The revised manual includes:
Specific information about the experience of MST and its impact on functioning.
Addition of four new topic areas – “Surviving Military Sexual Trauma,” “Grief and Loss,” “Self-forgiveness,” and “Moving Forward.”
A modular design that allows clinicians to vary the length of treatment according to specific group needs or the clinical setting (e.g., specialty mental health, primary care).
Removal of imaginal exposure from the treatment protocol.
A new companion patient workbook that includes all in-session activities and recommended homework assignments. This workbook is intended to supplement treatment. It should NOT be used as a self-help guide.
Published 1995 | Updated 2021
This product is an evidence-based practice.
Sexual Health After Military Sexual Trauma
These brochures for women and men raise awareness of the prevalence of sexual dysfunction after military sexual trauma (MST) and provide information on assessment and treatment of the disorder.
Includes brochures for providers and Veterans
Defines MST, sexual health, and sexual dysfunction
Veteran brochure describes sexual problems, the effects of MST on sexual health, resources, and how to get help at the VA
Provider brochure details DSM-5 and ICD-10 classifications for sexual dysfunction, provides tips on asking Veterans about sexual health, and lists resources for treatment, including the VA MST consultation program
Published 2018/2019
Sexual Health for Women Veterans
This brochure describes VA services that support women's sexual health and overall well-being.
Provides information about women's services available at VA, including birth control, immunizations, and health screenings and medications.
Encourages women Veterans to discuss VA sexual health services with their clinician.
This user-friendly guide helps Veterans get started and relaxed with using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask for obstructive sleep apnea. The guide:
Defines obstructive sleep apnea and how it is diagnosed and treated.
Gives tips for troubleshooting equipment-related problems with a CPAP therapist.
Helps Veterans identify helpful and unhelpful thoughts about CPAP to improve their experience.
Includes relaxation exercises that can be used when wearing a CPAP mask and tips for healthy sleep.
This pamphlet is an honest and gentle guide in encouraging Veterans to consider their hopes and fears in talking with their kids about PTSD.
Can be used independently by a Veteran or in conjunction with a therapist as part of a therapy group, class, or workshop
Parents’ strengths are emphasized
Readers are encouraged to draw upon support from family members, friends, other Veterans
Rooted in a recovery approach and instills hope in Veteran parents, for both themselves and their children
Published 2015 | Content last reviewed by developer in 2019 and deemed current
This product is a best practice.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for PTSD
Aids clinicians in implementing a 10-week acceptance and commitment therapy group for Veterans with trauma-related disorders. Includes:
Clinician manual with detailed session-by-session guidelines
Veteran Handbook with notes and homework
Guidance in using the ACT framework to introduce Veterans to exposure therapy
Published 2017
This product is a best practice.
An Active Approach to Recovering from Trauma: Breaking the Cycle of Safety Aids and Avoidance
This guide helps Veterans understand how trauma affects their lives. It will help them recover from any lasting reactions to trauma that are keeping them from living life to the fullest. They will learn to identify behaviors that are keeping them stuck in their recovery and learn a step-by-step method for changing them. This guide gives hope for recovery and the confidence to accomplish goals.
Learn about common reactions to trauma and specific ways it impacts life.
Understand how problematic avoidance behaviors (called “safety aids”) keep Veterans stuck in their recovery from trauma.
Discover what safety aids are being used to deal with distress and plan ways to learn how to live without them.
Review other resources that can assist recovery from trauma.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
Get Moving and Get Well Manual
This manual was developed for Veterans living with psychotic disorders, major depression, bipolar disorder, and severe posttraumatic stress disorder who have difficulty identifying and making use of opportunities for physical activity.
Helps individuals take positive steps to increase a general sense of well-being and promote improved mental and physical health.
Has been updated with sections on weight stigma, mindful self-compassion, mindful walking, and forest bathing.
Focuses on overcoming barriers to physical activity in rural communities.
Includes recommendations for how to conduct GMGW in situations where telehealth and/or social distancing is required to maintain the safety of participants and the community.
Designed to be delivered in two parts over half a year; Part I consists of 60-minute classes scheduled twice a week for 16 weeks and Part II is 8 weeks.
Updated 2020
This product is a best practice.
Medication Management of PTSD in Veterans with mTBI Pocket Card
This pocket card is a clinical decision making tool that helps VA clinicians with pharmacological management of PTSD in Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Includes:
Detailed table describing the PTSD Traumatic event exposure, Re-experiencing, Arousal, Unable to function, Month, Avoidance, and negative thoughts or feelings (TRAUMA) mnemonic
Description of the symptoms of mTBI and treatment of PTSD
Medication table that explains dosing and clinical considerations for comorbid PTSD/mTBI pharmacotherapy
Published 2019
This product is a best practice.
Pro Tips for Coaching webSTAIR: A Transdiagnostic Web-based Program for Veterans Exposed to Trauma
webSTAIR is a Veteran-facing online version of Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR), which was developed for individuals who have experienced trauma. webSTAIR combines self-paced online training modules and virtual coaching sessions to support real-life skill application to improve emotion regulation, relationship functioning, and quality of life for Veterans who have experienced a trauma. The goal of this training manual is to increase the reach of webSTAIR to Veterans with mild-to-moderate levels of trauma-related symptoms.
Provides an introduction to webSTAIR and describes who is a good fit for the program, available models, and considerations when introducing Veterans to webSTAIR.
Helps clinicians navigate the webSTAIR program clinician and Veteran dashboards, features, progress monitor, resources, toolbox, course list, user achievement badges, and module content.
webSTAIR is not an appropriate intervention for Veterans with severe mental health problems, or with primary clinical concerns that would be best treated by a specific type of intervention (such as Exposure Response Prevention for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Panic Disorder).
Published 2023
This product is an evidence-based practice.
Sexual Health After Military Sexual Trauma
These brochures for women and men raise awareness of the prevalence of sexual dysfunction after military sexual trauma (MST) and provide information on assessment and treatment of the disorder.
Includes brochures for providers and Veterans
Defines MST, sexual health, and sexual dysfunction
Veteran brochure describes sexual problems, the effects of MST on sexual health, resources, and how to get help at the VA
Provider brochure details DSM-5 and ICD-10 classifications for sexual dysfunction, provides tips on asking Veterans about sexual health, and lists resources for treatment, including the VA MST consultation program
Published 2018/2019
Taking the First Step: Psychotherapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Veterans may have questions when discussing PTSD treatment options with their clinicians. This educational brochure for Veterans provides information about PTSD-focused psychotherapy at VA to address common questions. Content includes:
Definition of PTSD
Reasons to consider PTSD psychotherapy
What to expect when starting treatment
Addressing common barriers to starting PTSD psychotherapy
This brief relaxation intervention is meant to provide short-term symptom relief for anxiety and stress.
Recommended as an adjunct to established first-line treatment approaches
Includes manuals for therapists and Veterans
Therapist manual covers a comprehensive Relaxation Enhancement protocol that includes relaxation practices, resources, strategies, and a log
Veteran manual can serve as a self-help resource to identify reasons to stress less
Updated 2019
This product is a best practice.
Veteran Wellness Toolkit
This toolkit is for Veterans who want to learn tools to improve their wellness.
Part of a Whole Health approach to Veterans’ well-being.
Self-paced.
Self-directed (does not require a mental health professional to use).
Sections include goal setting, understanding health, wellness tools, and additional resources.
Includes practical wellness tools, such as self-compassion, gratitude, thinking positively, and eating for vitality.
Published 2019 | Updated 2024
This product is a best practice.
Updated Calmer Life Program for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Anxiety
Updated Calmer Life manuals were published in 2024. These materials adapted and reworked the original Calmer Life Program to become “practice-ready” and include illustrations, modified patient vignettes, and changes to language and style. The patient manual includes more detailed instructions for utilizing the resources as guided self-help and completing homework assignments that correspond to each skill. The reworked materials were the result of a collaboration between Maribel Plasencia, PhD, Raquel D. Gonzalez, BA, Nicte Donis, BS, Jennifer Lee, BA, and Jeffrey Cully, PhD. Illustrations were created by Raquel D. Gonzalez, BA.
This product is a best practice.
Veterans Tai Chi for Pain and Stress
This video is a basic introduction to Tai Chi for Veterans and created by Veterans.
Can be used for mental, emotional and physical health
Helpful for people with limited ability to exercise
Can be done alone or in a group
Published 2018
This product is a best practice.
Walking to Wellness: Exercise for Physical and Emotional Health
This walking program is for Veterans who want to use exercise to help manage their emotional symptoms and improve their physical health. Program materials were completely revised and updated in 2023.
For Veterans experiencing mild to moderate stress, anxiety or depression symptoms.
Workbook can be used alone as a self-help guide.
Includes exercise tip sheets, activity planning worksheets, and personal logs to record experiences.
Features new supplemental guides for mindful walking and walking with a caregiver:
Integrating Mindfulness Into Walking Activities defines mindfulness and how to use mindfulness techniques when walking.
Caregiver Walking Together has information and suggestions to help caregivers walk with someone who has dementia or other cognitive impairment.
Facilitator manual provides current scientific background on exercise and mental health and gives suggestions for using the materials with individuals and groups.
Guide to Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome from Alcohol for Clinicians and Veterans
These guides describe the symptoms of and treatment for post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) from alcohol for clinicians and Veterans.
Each guide defines PAWS in language appropriate for clinician and Veteran audiences.
The clinician guide describes the use of Gabapentin as a treatment for PAWS, including an example titration schedule, benefits and misuse of the medication, and how it is used in combination treatment.
The clinician guide also discusses the prevalence of substance use disorders in minority populations and disparities in consequences for substance use.
The Veteran guide describes Gabapentin as a treatment for PAWS and the side effects of the medication.
A Veteran's Guide to Discussing STORES: Secure Storage to Reduce Suicide Risk
Veterans can be important in preventing suicide and saving fellow Veterans’ lives. These materials are for Veterans who want to help prevent Veteran suicide by discussing a plan for secure storage. This guide describes secure storage and its benefits and equips Veterans with skills to have a conversation about secure storage with other Veterans to reduce their risk of suicide. Includes:
STORES Guide - Provides secure storage examples and dialogues.
STORES Brochure – Introduces the concept of secure storage and tips for talking to other Veterans about secure storage.
Family Flyer – Discusses secure storage in context of suicide prevention for the entire family.
Children’s Flyer – Discusses secure storage in context of keeping children safe in the home.
Published 2023 | Updated 2024
This product is a best practice.
Collaborative Safety Planning for Older Adults
The manual is a collection of best practices and practical tips for safety planning, with a focus on issues that are common in older adult patients.
Best practices and practical tips for safety planning, with a focus on issues that are common in older adult patients
Increases the quality of safety plans and the likelihood that they will be understood and used by Veterans
Includes video that gives overview of the safety planning and how to use the manual
Medication Management of PTSD in Veterans with mTBI Pocket Card
This pocket card is a clinical decision making tool that helps VA clinicians with pharmacological management of PTSD in Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Includes:
Detailed table describing the PTSD Traumatic event exposure, Re-experiencing, Arousal, Unable to function, Month, Avoidance, and negative thoughts or feelings (TRAUMA) mnemonic
Description of the symptoms of mTBI and treatment of PTSD
Medication table that explains dosing and clinical considerations for comorbid PTSD/mTBI pharmacotherapy
A Veteran's Guide to Discussing STORES: Secure Storage to Reduce Suicide Risk
Veterans can be important in preventing suicide and saving fellow Veterans’ lives. These materials are for Veterans who want to help prevent Veteran suicide by discussing a plan for secure storage. This guide describes secure storage and its benefits and equips Veterans with skills to have a conversation about secure storage with other Veterans to reduce their risk of suicide. Includes:
STORES Guide - Provides secure storage examples and dialogues.
STORES Brochure – Introduces the concept of secure storage and tips for talking to other Veterans about secure storage.
Family Flyer – Discusses secure storage in context of suicide prevention for the entire family.
Children’s Flyer – Discusses secure storage in context of keeping children safe in the home.
Published 2023 | Updated 2024
This product is a best practice.
A Veteran's Guide to Talking With Kids About PTSD
This pamphlet is an honest and gentle guide in encouraging Veterans to consider their hopes and fears in talking with their kids about PTSD.
Can be used independently by a Veteran or in conjunction with a therapist as part of a therapy group, class, or workshop
Parents’ strengths are emphasized
Readers are encouraged to draw upon support from family members, friends, other Veterans
Rooted in a recovery approach and instills hope in Veteran parents, for both themselves and their children
Published 2015 | Content last reviewed by developer in 2019 and deemed current
This product is a best practice.
An Active Approach to Recovering from Trauma: Breaking the Cycle of Safety Aids and Avoidance
This guide helps Veterans understand how trauma affects their lives. It will help them recover from any lasting reactions to trauma that are keeping them from living life to the fullest. They will learn to identify behaviors that are keeping them stuck in their recovery and learn a step-by-step method for changing them. This guide gives hope for recovery and the confidence to accomplish goals.
Learn about common reactions to trauma and specific ways it impacts life.
Understand how problematic avoidance behaviors (called “safety aids”) keep Veterans stuck in their recovery from trauma.
Discover what safety aids are being used to deal with distress and plan ways to learn how to live without them.
Review other resources that can assist recovery from trauma.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
ACT on Health Toolkit
The ACT on Health Toolkit helps VA medical center mental health leadership and clinicians implement 1-day acceptance and commitment training (ACT) workshops in community-based settings.
Supports collaboration between VA staff and partners at community-based organizations.
Provides brief overview of ACT and the ACT evidence base.
Toolkit organized into the workshop’s implementation phases:
Establishing community partnerships
Obtaining training and skills for workshop clinicians
Organizing and conducting workshops
Options for offering virtual online workshops and follow-up ‘drop-in’ sessions for Veterans who complete a workshop
Methods for gathering evaluation data if desired
Resources section details products that can be used to engage VA/community stakeholders and workshop participants.
Includes links to online trainings and cyber-seminars. Also has links to brief videos to publicize the workshops and train ACT clinicians.
NOT a “how-to” guide on becoming an ACT therapist.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
Bariatric Surgery: A Path to Success
Bariatric surgery can have a positive impact on Veterans’ health and well-being. This self-help guide is for Veterans who are thinking about bariatric surgery and want to gain mental health skills and make their environments healthier. Their behaviors and mental health will directly affect outcomes of bariatric surgery. Making changes to their daily lives will help them succeed in their recovery after surgery. The guide:
Explains important considerations for bariatric surgery and the types of professional support Veterans can receive from their VA healthcare team before and after surgery.
Provides tools for setting goals to make bariatric surgery a success.
Reviews pre- and post-concerns to consider before having bariatric surgery.
Details the relationship between mental health and bariatric surgery.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
Caregiver Voice Hearing Experience: A Mental Health Symptom Training
This recovery-oriented training helps caregivers understand the myths and facts, symptoms, and experience of psychosis.
Gives caregivers the chance to experience "hearing voices" in an audio exercise.
Includes a step-by-step instruction manual, caregiver guide, and slide presentation for providers to deliver the training.
Trainers should be well-informed about the illnesses in which psychosis is prominent.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
Complementary and Alternative Approaches to Treating Headaches
These educational videos and brochures explain complementary and alternative approaches to treating headaches (chiropractic, biofeedback, acupuncture).
Includes Veteran and clinician brochures for each treatment approach.
Videos are brief (5-10 minutes) and explain how each approach may be used to decrease headache symptoms for Veteran and clinician audiences.
Published 2021
COMPASS: Vocational Materials for Veterans with Barriers to Employment
The job search process can be, and often is, a stressful experience for Veterans, especially if they have a history of felonies. Concern over rejection, fear of new experiences, feeling unqualified, and explaining their history are just some of the feelings that can occur. COMPASS is a job readiness course for Veterans seeking employment.
Includes a manual that covers topics such as skills, job applications, resumes, interviews, networking, and more.
Has 21 videos that demonstrate job readiness concepts that are discussed in the manual.
The manual will take you step by step through a process of identifying your interests, naming your weaknesses, and exploring options.
Particularly useful for Veterans with legal barriers to employment.
Published 2020
This product is a best practice.
Delirium: Information for Families & Caregivers
This brochure is intended to help families and caregivers of Veterans understand and manage delirium.
Defines delirium and how it differs from dementia.
Outlines risk factors for and symptoms of delirium.
Provides tips for family members and caregivers on what to do if they detect delirium in Veterans.
Describes how medical teams address delirium and what happens after discharge.
Published 2015 | Updated 2022
Get Moving and Get Well Manual
This manual was developed for Veterans living with psychotic disorders, major depression, bipolar disorder, and severe posttraumatic stress disorder who have difficulty identifying and making use of opportunities for physical activity.
Helps individuals take positive steps to increase a general sense of well-being and promote improved mental and physical health.
Has been updated with sections on weight stigma, mindful self-compassion, mindful walking, and forest bathing.
Focuses on overcoming barriers to physical activity in rural communities.
Includes recommendations for how to conduct GMGW in situations where telehealth and/or social distancing is required to maintain the safety of participants and the community.
Designed to be delivered in two parts over half a year; Part I consists of 60-minute classes scheduled twice a week for 16 weeks and Part II is 8 weeks.
Updated 2020
This product is a best practice.
Guide to Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome from Alcohol for Clinicians and Veterans
These guides describe the symptoms of and treatment for post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) from alcohol for clinicians and Veterans.
Each guide defines PAWS in language appropriate for clinician and Veteran audiences.
The clinician guide describes the use of Gabapentin as a treatment for PAWS, including an example titration schedule, benefits and misuse of the medication, and how it is used in combination treatment.
The clinician guide also discusses the prevalence of substance use disorders in minority populations and disparities in consequences for substance use.
The Veteran guide describes Gabapentin as a treatment for PAWS and the side effects of the medication.
Published 2021
This product is a best practice.
Gulf War Illness: Explaining Unexplained Symptoms
This brochure describes the causes, symptoms, and treatment for Gulf War Illness.
Describes 3 diagnostic categories used to classify symptoms: fatigue, pain, and mood/cognitive difficulties
Describes treatment options for Gulf War Illness at VA
Provides registration information for the Gulf War Illness Registry
Published 2019
Living with Purpose: A Guide for Getting More Out of Each Day
Many Veterans with depression do not engage in psychotherapy because of barriers like busy work schedules, chronic health conditions, or lack of transportation. This self-help workbook for mild to moderate depression provides an alternative that may better fit into Veterans’ busy lives.
Includes a clinician guide that provides a brief overview of the Veteran self-help workbook and behavioral activation.
Helpful as an adjunct to psychotherapy, allowing Veterans to learn skills independently between sessions. This allows the clinician to use face-to-face time to teach more advanced coping skills.
Incorporates behavioral activation and goal setting to get Veterans more active and more involved in rewarding activities.
Beneficial for Veterans with mild to moderate depression who are interested in self-management or those who may have mild comorbid disorders such as anxiety or PTSD.
Published 2013 | Updated 2023
This product is an evidence-based practice.
Major Depressive Disorder: Selecting a Psychotherapy that's Right for You
Selecting a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) is a personal decision. There is no one treatment that is “right” for everyone. This guide helps Veterans learn about different treatments for MDD and then consider the pros and cons of each.
Defines MDD and psychotherapy options for treatment in the VA, including acceptance and commitment therapy for depression (ACT-D), cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression (CBT-D), and interpersonal psychotherapy for depression (IPT-D).
Helps Veterans talk to their providers about when psychotherapy alone, medication alone, or a combination of both is needed to treat MDD based on the severity of their symptoms.
Describes self-management strategies for mild levels of MDD that can be used by Veterans.
Highlights treatment options for Veterans with MDD who have other co-occurring mental health conditions like PTSD, pain, and insomnia.
Published 2021
Management of Dementia Related Behaviors
Dementia related behaviors include wandering, impulsivity, problems with sleep and appetite, feelings of depression, suicidal thoughts, and many others. These brochures help caregivers and providers identify and manage dementia-related behaviors.
Caregiver brochure defines dementia related behaviors, describes causes and treatments for these behaviors, and lists tips and services to encourage caregiver wellness.
Provider brochure is available in pocket and letter sizes and describes evaluation, contributing factors, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of dementia related behaviors.
Both brochures highlight resources for support.
Published 2020
This product is a best practice.
PACERS Video: Dementia and Driving
This video helps providers identify and address driving and can be used to educate families and Veterans and provide strategies about stopping driving. Published 2016.
This product is a best practice.
Psychotherapy Options for Veterans with Psychosis Brochures
These brochures explain psychosocial interventions that can be helpful in the treatment of Veterans with psychosis.
Includes Veteran brochure that describes psychosis and what to expect during four treatment interventions
Includes clinician brochure that describes four psychosocial interventions for treating psychosis
Published 2019
Self-Help STOP WORRY: A Tool for Older Veterans
This is a user-friendly, guided cognitive behavioral treatment of generalized anxiety disorder for Veterans 60 years of age or older who experience high levels of worry and anxiety (CD is no longer available).
The workbooks contain eight chapters detailing skills, including anxiety education and awareness, relaxation (Diaphragmatic Breathing and Progressive Muscle Relaxation [PMR]), problem solving, cognitive therapy, exposure and behavioral sleep management.
Self-help workbook contains practice exercises and forms to monitor progress
Workbook may be used independently or as a part of formal treatment
Published 2011 | Updated 2020
This product is a best practice.
Sexual Health After Military Sexual Trauma
These brochures for women and men raise awareness of the prevalence of sexual dysfunction after military sexual trauma (MST) and provide information on assessment and treatment of the disorder.
Includes brochures for providers and Veterans
Defines MST, sexual health, and sexual dysfunction
Veteran brochure describes sexual problems, the effects of MST on sexual health, resources, and how to get help at the VA
Provider brochure details DSM-5 and ICD-10 classifications for sexual dysfunction, provides tips on asking Veterans about sexual health, and lists resources for treatment, including the VA MST consultation program
Published 2018/2019
Taking the First Step: Psychotherapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Veterans may have questions when discussing PTSD treatment options with their clinicians. This educational brochure for Veterans provides information about PTSD-focused psychotherapy at VA to address common questions. Content includes:
Definition of PTSD
Reasons to consider PTSD psychotherapy
What to expect when starting treatment
Addressing common barriers to starting PTSD psychotherapy
Online resources
Published 2023
The Great Outdoors: Engaging with Nature for Mental Health
These materials support Veterans by helping them engage in positive and healthy nature-based activities. The materials integrate the science of the benefits of engaging with nature, with the well-established approaches of behavioral activation, mindfulness, and other positive psychology exercises. The clinician manual supports the delivery of a very brief (1-2 session) or brief (3-5) session intervention in a variety of settings. The Veteran guide can be used as part of a clinician-delivered intervention, or as a self-help intervention. The material:.
Provides an overview of the science on the benefits of nature engagement and greenspace exposure.
Includes an activity to review one's past and current engagement in nature.
Integrates principles of motivational interviewing to resolve ambivalence.
Encourages value identification/prioritization and discovering nature-based activities that can support living out those values.
Uses goal setting, activity scheduling, and behavior monitoring to help Veterans increase their nature engagement.
Provides links to guided audio exercises, including 5 mindfulness exercises, 1 savoring exercise, and 2 guided imagery exercises.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
The Safest Bet: A Guide to Understanding Problem Gambling for Veterans and Clinicians
This guide aims to help Veterans, VA clinicians, and others learn more about issues related to gambling and to locate additional resources for problem gambling.
Can be used in sessions with a clinician, in a group with other Veterans, or as a self-help resource
Veterans using this guide for self-help are encouraged to seek out a VHA provider or other helping professional to answer additional questions or address any concerns
Has four modules that focus on readiness to change, thinking errors and tools, recovery, and Gamblers Anonymous
Includes resource list for finding help for problem gambling
Updated 2019
This product is a best practice.
Veteran Parenting Toolkits
This toolkit includes five sets of age-specific parenting materials.
Good for young Veteran parents and their partners
Published 2010
This product is a best practice.
Veterans Tai Chi for Pain and Stress
This video is a basic introduction to Tai Chi for Veterans and created by Veterans.
Can be used for mental, emotional and physical health
Helpful for people with limited ability to exercise
Can be done alone or in a group
Published 2018
This product is a best practice.
Walking to Wellness: Exercise for Physical and Emotional Health
This walking program is for Veterans who want to use exercise to help manage their emotional symptoms and improve their physical health. Program materials were completely revised and updated in 2023.
For Veterans experiencing mild to moderate stress, anxiety or depression symptoms.
Workbook can be used alone as a self-help guide.
Includes exercise tip sheets, activity planning worksheets, and personal logs to record experiences.
Features new supplemental guides for mindful walking and walking with a caregiver:
Integrating Mindfulness Into Walking Activities defines mindfulness and how to use mindfulness techniques when walking.
Caregiver Walking Together has information and suggestions to help caregivers walk with someone who has dementia or other cognitive impairment.
Facilitator manual provides current scientific background on exercise and mental health and gives suggestions for using the materials with individuals and groups.
Published 2015 | Updated 2023
This product is a best practice.
Wellness While Waiting Guide
The Wellness While Waiting patient education materials were designed to promote physical and emotional wellness for Veterans awaiting organ transplant and their caregivers. The guide covers several topics including common emotional responses to the wait for transplant, skills to increase emotional wellness, and strategies to continue engagement in health-affirming behaviors. The 5 supplemental handouts cover additional mental health topics (depression, anxiety, cognitive compensatory skills, relapse prevention for tobacco use, and relapse prevention for alcohol or other drug use). All materials also assist with care navigation within the VA by directing Veterans and their caregivers to appropriate resources. The Core Packet consists of:
The Wellness While Waiting Guide
Visit agenda cards to facilitate Veteran-Provider communication
A Caregiver Wellness handout to emphasize good caregiver self-care and offer further resources for caregiver support
This user-friendly guide helps Veterans get started and relaxed with using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask for obstructive sleep apnea. The guide:
Defines obstructive sleep apnea and how it is diagnosed and treated.
Gives tips for troubleshooting equipment-related problems with a CPAP therapist.
Helps Veterans identify helpful and unhelpful thoughts about CPAP to improve their experience.
Includes relaxation exercises that can be used when wearing a CPAP mask and tips for healthy sleep.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
Bariatric Surgery: A Path to Success
Bariatric surgery can have a positive impact on Veterans’ health and well-being. This self-help guide is for Veterans who are thinking about bariatric surgery and want to gain mental health skills and make their environments healthier. Their behaviors and mental health will directly affect outcomes of bariatric surgery. Making changes to their daily lives will help them succeed in their recovery after surgery. The guide:
Explains important considerations for bariatric surgery and the types of professional support Veterans can receive from their VA healthcare team before and after surgery.
Provides tools for setting goals to make bariatric surgery a success.
Reviews pre- and post-concerns to consider before having bariatric surgery.
Details the relationship between mental health and bariatric surgery.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
Complementary and Alternative Approaches to Treating Headaches
These educational videos and brochures explain complementary and alternative approaches to treating headaches (chiropractic, biofeedback, acupuncture).
Includes Veteran and clinician brochures for each treatment approach.
Videos are brief (5-10 minutes) and explain how each approach may be used to decrease headache symptoms for Veteran and clinician audiences.
Published 2021
Get Moving and Get Well Manual
This manual was developed for Veterans living with psychotic disorders, major depression, bipolar disorder, and severe posttraumatic stress disorder who have difficulty identifying and making use of opportunities for physical activity.
Helps individuals take positive steps to increase a general sense of well-being and promote improved mental and physical health.
Has been updated with sections on weight stigma, mindful self-compassion, mindful walking, and forest bathing.
Focuses on overcoming barriers to physical activity in rural communities.
Includes recommendations for how to conduct GMGW in situations where telehealth and/or social distancing is required to maintain the safety of participants and the community.
Designed to be delivered in two parts over half a year; Part I consists of 60-minute classes scheduled twice a week for 16 weeks and Part II is 8 weeks.
Updated 2020
This product is a best practice.
Guide to Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome from Alcohol for Clinicians and Veterans
These guides describe the symptoms of and treatment for post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) from alcohol for clinicians and Veterans.
Each guide defines PAWS in language appropriate for clinician and Veteran audiences.
The clinician guide describes the use of Gabapentin as a treatment for PAWS, including an example titration schedule, benefits and misuse of the medication, and how it is used in combination treatment.
The clinician guide also discusses the prevalence of substance use disorders in minority populations and disparities in consequences for substance use.
The Veteran guide describes Gabapentin as a treatment for PAWS and the side effects of the medication.
Published 2021
This product is a best practice.
Gulf War Illness: Explaining Unexplained Symptoms
This brochure describes the causes, symptoms, and treatment for Gulf War Illness.
Describes 3 diagnostic categories used to classify symptoms: fatigue, pain, and mood/cognitive difficulties
Describes treatment options for Gulf War Illness at VA
Provides registration information for the Gulf War Illness Registry
Published 2019
HERO: Healthy Emotions and ImpRoving Health Behavior Outcomes
The HERO program is a participant-centered integrated behavioral health treatment to improve psychological symptoms, health behaviors, and weight management among obese Veterans with coexisting emotional distress.
Includes clinician manual and Veteran workbook
Has six core and two elective sessions
Personalized and accessible
Includes scripts for clinicians to assist with teaching skills in the workbook
Published 2018
This product is a best practice.
The Great Outdoors: Engaging with Nature for Mental Health
These materials support Veterans by helping them engage in positive and healthy nature-based activities. The materials integrate the science of the benefits of engaging with nature, with the well-established approaches of behavioral activation, mindfulness, and other positive psychology exercises. The clinician manual supports the delivery of a very brief (1-2 session) or brief (3-5) session intervention in a variety of settings. The Veteran guide can be used as part of a clinician-delivered intervention, or as a self-help intervention. The material:.
Provides an overview of the science on the benefits of nature engagement and greenspace exposure.
Includes an activity to review one's past and current engagement in nature.
Integrates principles of motivational interviewing to resolve ambivalence.
Encourages value identification/prioritization and discovering nature-based activities that can support living out those values.
Uses goal setting, activity scheduling, and behavior monitoring to help Veterans increase their nature engagement.
Provides links to guided audio exercises, including 5 mindfulness exercises, 1 savoring exercise, and 2 guided imagery exercises.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
Veteran Wellness Toolkit
This toolkit is for Veterans who want to learn tools to improve their wellness.
Part of a Whole Health approach to Veterans’ well-being.
Self-paced.
Self-directed (does not require a mental health professional to use).
Sections include goal setting, understanding health, wellness tools, and additional resources.
Includes practical wellness tools, such as self-compassion, gratitude, thinking positively, and eating for vitality.
Published 2019 | Updated 2024
This product is a best practice.
Veterans Tai Chi for Pain and Stress
This video is a basic introduction to Tai Chi for Veterans and created by Veterans.
Can be used for mental, emotional and physical health
Helpful for people with limited ability to exercise
Can be done alone or in a group
Published 2018
This product is a best practice.
Walking to Wellness: Exercise for Physical and Emotional Health
This walking program is for Veterans who want to use exercise to help manage their emotional symptoms and improve their physical health. Program materials were completely revised and updated in 2023.
For Veterans experiencing mild to moderate stress, anxiety or depression symptoms.
Workbook can be used alone as a self-help guide.
Includes exercise tip sheets, activity planning worksheets, and personal logs to record experiences.
Features new supplemental guides for mindful walking and walking with a caregiver:
Integrating Mindfulness Into Walking Activities defines mindfulness and how to use mindfulness techniques when walking.
Caregiver Walking Together has information and suggestions to help caregivers walk with someone who has dementia or other cognitive impairment.
Facilitator manual provides current scientific background on exercise and mental health and gives suggestions for using the materials with individuals and groups.
Published 2015 | Updated 2023
This product is a best practice.
Wellness While Waiting Guide
The Wellness While Waiting patient education materials were designed to promote physical and emotional wellness for Veterans awaiting organ transplant and their caregivers. The guide covers several topics including common emotional responses to the wait for transplant, skills to increase emotional wellness, and strategies to continue engagement in health-affirming behaviors. The 5 supplemental handouts cover additional mental health topics (depression, anxiety, cognitive compensatory skills, relapse prevention for tobacco use, and relapse prevention for alcohol or other drug use). All materials also assist with care navigation within the VA by directing Veterans and their caregivers to appropriate resources. The Core Packet consists of:
The Wellness While Waiting Guide
Visit agenda cards to facilitate Veteran-Provider communication
A Caregiver Wellness handout to emphasize good caregiver self-care and offer further resources for caregiver support
This user-friendly guide helps Veterans get started and relaxed with using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask for obstructive sleep apnea. The guide:
Defines obstructive sleep apnea and how it is diagnosed and treated.
Gives tips for troubleshooting equipment-related problems with a CPAP therapist.
Helps Veterans identify helpful and unhelpful thoughts about CPAP to improve their experience.
Includes relaxation exercises that can be used when wearing a CPAP mask and tips for healthy sleep.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
A Provider's Guide to Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The updated (second edition) of the Provider’s Guide to Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was completed in 2021. Revisions and expansions included the following:
Previous content was updated and aligned with current literature including updated supplemental readings.
NEW Modules were developed to address current and emerging clinical applications and include:
Module 5: Cultural Considerations in Therapy
Module 6: Using Technology for Distance-Based Therapy
Module 14: Exposure Therapy in Brief CBT
Module 17: Adaptations of bCBT for Special Clinical Populations (e.g. Military Populations, Older Adults, Medically Ill, and Cognitively Impaired populations)
Published 2008 | Updated 2021
This product is a best practice.
A Veteran's Guide to Discussing STORES: Secure Storage to Reduce Suicide Risk
Veterans can be important in preventing suicide and saving fellow Veterans’ lives. These materials are for Veterans who want to help prevent Veteran suicide by discussing a plan for secure storage. This guide describes secure storage and its benefits and equips Veterans with skills to have a conversation about secure storage with other Veterans to reduce their risk of suicide. Includes:
STORES Guide - Provides secure storage examples and dialogues.
STORES Brochure – Introduces the concept of secure storage and tips for talking to other Veterans about secure storage.
Family Flyer – Discusses secure storage in context of suicide prevention for the entire family.
Children’s Flyer – Discusses secure storage in context of keeping children safe in the home.
Published 2023 | Updated 2024
This product is a best practice.
A Veteran's Guide to Talking With Kids About PTSD
This pamphlet is an honest and gentle guide in encouraging Veterans to consider their hopes and fears in talking with their kids about PTSD.
Can be used independently by a Veteran or in conjunction with a therapist as part of a therapy group, class, or workshop
Parents’ strengths are emphasized
Readers are encouraged to draw upon support from family members, friends, other Veterans
Rooted in a recovery approach and instills hope in Veteran parents, for both themselves and their children
Published 2015 | Content last reviewed by developer in 2019 and deemed current
This product is a best practice.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Animated Review
These six brief videos walk learners through the ACT Hexaflex.
Acceptance
Defusion
Self as context
Contact with the present moment
Values
Committed action
Published 2015
This product is a best practice.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for PTSD
Aids clinicians in implementing a 10-week acceptance and commitment therapy group for Veterans with trauma-related disorders. Includes:
Clinician manual with detailed session-by-session guidelines
Veteran Handbook with notes and homework
Guidance in using the ACT framework to introduce Veterans to exposure therapy
Published 2017
This product is a best practice.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Strategies Guide for Anxiety and Trauma-Related Problems in Living
This guide supplements the current VA Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) for ACT for Depression (ACT-D) protocol. It includes information and treatment materials relevant to anxiety and trauma-related disorders. It is meant for clinicians with training and experience in the ACT model, such as ACT-D EBP or similar training. This is not a treatment protocol.
The guide starts with a discussion of clinical anxiety and exposure therapy from an ACT perspective. It includes case examples.
It is organized into sections according to the core ACT processes.
The introductory sections:
Give clinicians a brief overview of each process as it relates to anxiety and trauma.
Suggest uses for the handouts and exercises.
List exercises and activities from the VA’s ACT Coach and Mindfulness Coach mobile/tablet applications to support work relevant to process areas.
The handouts and exercises for Veterans:
Were developed by the authors or adapted from various empirically supported ACT protocols for anxiety, trauma, and depression.
May be selected and used by clinicians as needed for individual case conceptualization with Veterans.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
ACCESS: Adjusting to Chronic Conditions with Education, Support, and Skills
ACCESS is a psychosocial intervention specifically designed to address the physical and emotional issues faced by chronically ill patients. The goals of the intervention are to empower individuals via patient-centered education, teach self-management strategies, and use goals and action plans to increase skill use and success.
Involves six active treatment sessions (weekly meetings of 45-60 minutes for session 1, and 30-45 minutes for sessions 2-6).
Content in sessions 3-6 is flexible, allowing the flexibility to spend more than one session on focused skills, as needed.
Follow-up booster sessions (10-to 15-minute phone calls) are used to help solidify changes over time.
The length of the total treatment (active treatment and boosters) is 16 weeks.
Published 2015 | Updated 2022
This product is an evidence-based practice.
ACT on Health Toolkit
The ACT on Health Toolkit helps VA medical center mental health leadership and clinicians implement 1-day acceptance and commitment training (ACT) workshops in community-based settings.
Supports collaboration between VA staff and partners at community-based organizations.
Provides brief overview of ACT and the ACT evidence base.
Toolkit organized into the workshop’s implementation phases:
Establishing community partnerships
Obtaining training and skills for workshop clinicians
Organizing and conducting workshops
Options for offering virtual online workshops and follow-up ‘drop-in’ sessions for Veterans who complete a workshop
Methods for gathering evaluation data if desired
Resources section details products that can be used to engage VA/community stakeholders and workshop participants.
Includes links to online trainings and cyber-seminars. Also has links to brief videos to publicize the workshops and train ACT clinicians.
NOT a “how-to” guide on becoming an ACT therapist.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
An Active Approach to Recovering from Trauma: Breaking the Cycle of Safety Aids and Avoidance
This guide helps Veterans understand how trauma affects their lives. It will help them recover from any lasting reactions to trauma that are keeping them from living life to the fullest. They will learn to identify behaviors that are keeping them stuck in their recovery and learn a step-by-step method for changing them. This guide gives hope for recovery and the confidence to accomplish goals.
Learn about common reactions to trauma and specific ways it impacts life.
Understand how problematic avoidance behaviors (called “safety aids”) keep Veterans stuck in their recovery from trauma.
Discover what safety aids are being used to deal with distress and plan ways to learn how to live without them.
Review other resources that can assist recovery from trauma.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
An All-Encompassing Approach to Treating Anxiety and Related Disorders: A Safety Aid Reduction Treatment Manual (START)
This manual is designed to be used by clinicians who have experience delivering cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The manual provides implementation guidelines for this transdiagnostic treatment, which is designed to target various anxiety and related disorders via the identification and elimination of safety aids.
This treatment program consists of 10 weekly, group-based sessions, each lasting one hour.
The manual is divided into chapters, each corresponding to a treatment session. Each chapter includes a materials list, session outline, treatment information and techniques, as well as homework.
It will be important to monitor Veterans’ progress throughout treatment and share the results with them to assess their progress over time. This can be accomplished by having Veterans complete disorder- specific self-report measures at regular intervals in addition to the provided "Safety Behavior Assessment Form."
Given the importance of therapeutic rapport to treatment success, it will be essential to foster an environment in which the Veteran feels safe and respected.
Published 2021
This product is a best practice.
Bariatric Surgery: A Path to Success
Bariatric surgery can have a positive impact on Veterans’ health and well-being. This self-help guide is for Veterans who are thinking about bariatric surgery and want to gain mental health skills and make their environments healthier. Their behaviors and mental health will directly affect outcomes of bariatric surgery. Making changes to their daily lives will help them succeed in their recovery after surgery. The guide:
Explains important considerations for bariatric surgery and the types of professional support Veterans can receive from their VA healthcare team before and after surgery.
Provides tools for setting goals to make bariatric surgery a success.
Reviews pre- and post-concerns to consider before having bariatric surgery.
Details the relationship between mental health and bariatric surgery.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
Behavioral Medicine Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Referral Toolkit for Gastroenterology Providers
This toolkit helps gastroenterology providers identify the best candidates for behavioral medicine services and provide guidance for the referral process.
Decision support tools
Tips for educating patients about behavioral medicine treatment
Patient information about what irritable bowel syndrome is and how to manage it
Published 2018
This product is a best practice.
Brief Digital Accelerator Treatment for Gambling (BDAT) Clinician Guide and Resources Workbook
This clinician guide and resources workbook helps providers use a brief intervention to treat problem gambling.
Includes a brief video overview to introduce the intervention
Includes Excel program that simulates games of chance that can be played at an accelerated pace to demonstrate the long-term effects of gambling
Published 2019
This product is a best practice.
Calmer Life Program
Treatment materials for adults aged 50 and over with worry and stress. Includes:
Community workshop curriculum
Clinician intervention manual
Participant workbook
Enhanced community care (information and resource counseling) template
Caregiver Voice Hearing Experience: A Mental Health Symptom Training
This recovery-oriented training helps caregivers understand the myths and facts, symptoms, and experience of psychosis.
Gives caregivers the chance to experience "hearing voices" in an audio exercise.
Includes a step-by-step instruction manual, caregiver guide, and slide presentation for providers to deliver the training.
Trainers should be well-informed about the illnesses in which psychosis is prominent.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Strategies Guide
This is a practical guide for clinicians who want to use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression (CBT-D) with Veterans.
Can be used as an additional resource to "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression in Veterans and Military Service Members: Therapy Manual" (Wenzel, A., Brown, G. K., & Karlin, B. E., 2011)
Has sections for initial, middle, and later phases of CBT
Includes handouts for Veterans that can reinforce and validate ideas presented in session or serve as transitional objects as preparation for discharge and relapse prevention planning
Published 2019
This product is a best practice.
Collaborative Safety Planning for Older Adults
The manual is a collection of best practices and practical tips for safety planning, with a focus on issues that are common in older adult patients.
Best practices and practical tips for safety planning, with a focus on issues that are common in older adult patients
Increases the quality of safety plans and the likelihood that they will be understood and used by Veterans
Includes video that gives overview of the safety planning and how to use the manual
Published 2016
This product is a best practice.
COMPASS: Vocational Materials for Veterans with Barriers to Employment
The job search process can be, and often is, a stressful experience for Veterans, especially if they have a history of felonies. Concern over rejection, fear of new experiences, feeling unqualified, and explaining their history are just some of the feelings that can occur. COMPASS is a job readiness course for Veterans seeking employment.
Includes a manual that covers topics such as skills, job applications, resumes, interviews, networking, and more.
Has 21 videos that demonstrate job readiness concepts that are discussed in the manual.
The manual will take you step by step through a process of identifying your interests, naming your weaknesses, and exploring options.
Particularly useful for Veterans with legal barriers to employment.
Published 2020
This product is a best practice.
Complementary and Alternative Approaches to Treating Headaches
These educational videos and brochures explain complementary and alternative approaches to treating headaches (chiropractic, biofeedback, acupuncture).
Includes Veteran and clinician brochures for each treatment approach.
Videos are brief (5-10 minutes) and explain how each approach may be used to decrease headache symptoms for Veteran and clinician audiences.
Published 2021
Courage Group
The Courage Group was developed as a 12-week outpatient therapy group for Veterans who had experienced sexual trauma by Drs. Dana Foley and Michelle Sherman in 1995. This included Veterans with a history of childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault in adulthood, and military sexual trauma (MST). This educational group draws on cognitive and behavioral principles to promote healing, self-discovery, and self-efficacy. The revised manual includes:
Specific information about the experience of MST and its impact on functioning.
Addition of four new topic areas – “Surviving Military Sexual Trauma,” “Grief and Loss,” “Self-forgiveness,” and “Moving Forward.”
A modular design that allows clinicians to vary the length of treatment according to specific group needs or the clinical setting (e.g., specialty mental health, primary care).
Removal of imaginal exposure from the treatment protocol.
A new companion patient workbook that includes all in-session activities and recommended homework assignments. This workbook is intended to supplement treatment. It should NOT be used as a self-help guide.
Published 1995 | Updated 2021
This product is an evidence-based practice.
Delirium: Information for Families & Caregivers
This brochure is intended to help families and caregivers of Veterans understand and manage delirium.
Defines delirium and how it differs from dementia.
Outlines risk factors for and symptoms of delirium.
Provides tips for family members and caregivers on what to do if they detect delirium in Veterans.
Describes how medical teams address delirium and what happens after discharge.
Published 2015 | Updated 2022
Dialectical Behavior Therapy: A Visual Review
Video training on DBT program modules (individual therapy, group therapy, consultation team, and phone coaching) and skills (mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation).
Training consists of 2 videos (totaling 1.5 hours) and handouts
Geared towards mental health clinicians who want to learn more about DBT or enhance their current practices
Can be viewed by clients or used during individual or group DBT therapy to provide psychoeducation
Published 2017
This product is a best practice.
Get Moving and Get Well Manual
This manual was developed for Veterans living with psychotic disorders, major depression, bipolar disorder, and severe posttraumatic stress disorder who have difficulty identifying and making use of opportunities for physical activity.
Helps individuals take positive steps to increase a general sense of well-being and promote improved mental and physical health.
Has been updated with sections on weight stigma, mindful self-compassion, mindful walking, and forest bathing.
Focuses on overcoming barriers to physical activity in rural communities.
Includes recommendations for how to conduct GMGW in situations where telehealth and/or social distancing is required to maintain the safety of participants and the community.
Designed to be delivered in two parts over half a year; Part I consists of 60-minute classes scheduled twice a week for 16 weeks and Part II is 8 weeks.
Updated 2020
This product is a best practice.
Guide to Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome from Alcohol for Clinicians and Veterans
These guides describe the symptoms of and treatment for post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) from alcohol for clinicians and Veterans.
Each guide defines PAWS in language appropriate for clinician and Veteran audiences.
The clinician guide describes the use of Gabapentin as a treatment for PAWS, including an example titration schedule, benefits and misuse of the medication, and how it is used in combination treatment.
The clinician guide also discusses the prevalence of substance use disorders in minority populations and disparities in consequences for substance use.
The Veteran guide describes Gabapentin as a treatment for PAWS and the side effects of the medication.
Published 2021
This product is a best practice.
Gulf War Illness: Explaining Unexplained Symptoms
This brochure describes the causes, symptoms, and treatment for Gulf War Illness.
Describes 3 diagnostic categories used to classify symptoms: fatigue, pain, and mood/cognitive difficulties
Describes treatment options for Gulf War Illness at VA
Provides registration information for the Gulf War Illness Registry
Published 2019
HERO: Healthy Emotions and ImpRoving Health Behavior Outcomes
The HERO program is a participant-centered integrated behavioral health treatment to improve psychological symptoms, health behaviors, and weight management among obese Veterans with coexisting emotional distress.
Includes clinician manual and Veteran workbook
Has six core and two elective sessions
Personalized and accessible
Includes scripts for clinicians to assist with teaching skills in the workbook
Published 2018
This product is a best practice.
Living with Purpose: A Guide for Getting More Out of Each Day
Many Veterans with depression do not engage in psychotherapy because of barriers like busy work schedules, chronic health conditions, or lack of transportation. This self-help workbook for mild to moderate depression provides an alternative that may better fit into Veterans’ busy lives.
Includes a clinician guide that provides a brief overview of the Veteran self-help workbook and behavioral activation.
Helpful as an adjunct to psychotherapy, allowing Veterans to learn skills independently between sessions. This allows the clinician to use face-to-face time to teach more advanced coping skills.
Incorporates behavioral activation and goal setting to get Veterans more active and more involved in rewarding activities.
Beneficial for Veterans with mild to moderate depression who are interested in self-management or those who may have mild comorbid disorders such as anxiety or PTSD.
Published 2013 | Updated 2023
This product is an evidence-based practice.
Major Depressive Disorder: Selecting a Psychotherapy that's Right for You
Selecting a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) is a personal decision. There is no one treatment that is “right” for everyone. This guide helps Veterans learn about different treatments for MDD and then consider the pros and cons of each.
Defines MDD and psychotherapy options for treatment in the VA, including acceptance and commitment therapy for depression (ACT-D), cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression (CBT-D), and interpersonal psychotherapy for depression (IPT-D).
Helps Veterans talk to their providers about when psychotherapy alone, medication alone, or a combination of both is needed to treat MDD based on the severity of their symptoms.
Describes self-management strategies for mild levels of MDD that can be used by Veterans.
Highlights treatment options for Veterans with MDD who have other co-occurring mental health conditions like PTSD, pain, and insomnia.
Published 2021
Management of Dementia Related Behaviors
Dementia related behaviors include wandering, impulsivity, problems with sleep and appetite, feelings of depression, suicidal thoughts, and many others. These brochures help caregivers and providers identify and manage dementia-related behaviors.
Caregiver brochure defines dementia related behaviors, describes causes and treatments for these behaviors, and lists tips and services to encourage caregiver wellness.
Provider brochure is available in pocket and letter sizes and describes evaluation, contributing factors, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of dementia related behaviors.
Both brochures highlight resources for support.
Published 2020
This product is a best practice.
Medication Management of PTSD in Veterans with mTBI Pocket Card
This pocket card is a clinical decision making tool that helps VA clinicians with pharmacological management of PTSD in Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Includes:
Detailed table describing the PTSD Traumatic event exposure, Re-experiencing, Arousal, Unable to function, Month, Avoidance, and negative thoughts or feelings (TRAUMA) mnemonic
Description of the symptoms of mTBI and treatment of PTSD
Medication table that explains dosing and clinical considerations for comorbid PTSD/mTBI pharmacotherapy
Published 2019
This product is a best practice.
Moral Injury Psychoeducation Group
This four-week program is a time-limited psychoeducational “standalone” group that can be offered either virtually or in person to provide information about moral injury. The curriculum, which includes a facilitator guide and program handbook, provides information for chaplains and mental health clinicians on leading a Moral Injury Psychoeducation Group. The group may be led by chaplains, clinicians, church clergy specializing in pastoral care or mental health ministry with Veterans, or trained para-professionals such as NAMI volunteers or Veteran peer support specialists who have participated in the course.
The program is designed to introduce core concepts related to moral injury and prepare Veterans for more intensive therapy for moral injury, if desired and available.
The program handbook is used to conduct the sessions.
Sessions are nonthreatening and focus on education as opposed to group process or self-revelation.
The facilitator guide includes helpful hints, clinical examples, potential pitfalls, and ways to appropriately involve Veterans during group sessions.
Published 2021 | Updated 2024
This product is a best practice.
Multi-Setting Peaceful Mind: A Manual to Aid in the Management of Anxiety in Veterans with Memory Impairment
This easy-to-follow manual outlines an evidence-supported cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment for anxiety for older Veterans with dementia or cognitive impairment.
Includes worksheets for patients
Published 2013 | Updated 2020
This product is an evidence-based practice.
MyBriefCBT
The MyBriefCBT program was developed to improve access and delivery of evidence-based psychotherapies (EBP) in clinical settings that demand rapid or time-limited interventions. Brief CBT was designed to address depressive symptoms and can be delivered in 3-6 sessions. Brief CBT uses measurement-based care and variable treatment intensity models to streamline the psychotherapy process while respecting the needs of patients. This patient-centered approach to care can also be seen in the way in which the program leverages a flexible skills-based approach that allows providers and patients to select and inform their process of care. Currently, the MyBriefCBT program is being implemented within several Veterans Health Administration Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) across the United States. The MyBriefCBT program includes:
A provider manual and patient workbook that is separated into six sections focused on different skills for mood and well-being.
Each skill area can be a focus of the work done during a session.
Every skill area does not have to be completed. Patients and clinicians can focus on areas that will be the most beneficial.
The final section of the workbook contains extra copies of the worksheets and monitoring forms that will be presented in each skill area.
Published 2021
This product is an evidence-based practice.
OCD and Related Disorders SharePoint
This VA SharePoint is a place for mental health providers to find resources on the assessment and behavioral treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders.
Discusses hoarding disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, excoriation disorder, trichotillomania, and obsessive compulsive personality disorder
VA SharePoint can only be accessed by VA employees from a VA computer
Includes a fact sheet (available to everyone) about the differential diagnosis between OCD and PTSD
Published 2018
PACERS Course 1: Dementia and Delirium (1 HOUR CEU)
Learn how to define delirium and dementia according to DSM-5 criteria.
Identify the signs symptoms, evaluation, and treatment of delirium and dementia/dementia subtypes
Indicate differences between delirium and dementia
This video helps providers identify and address driving and can be used to educate families and Veterans and provide strategies about stopping driving. Published 2016.
This product is a best practice.
PACERS Video: How to Deliver the Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease
This video shows how to deliver the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease with compassion.
Self-neglect is the most common form of elder abuse reported to Adult Protective Services. This video shows how to identify the warning signs of self-neglect. Published 2017.
This product is a best practice.
Persons with Dementia: Skills for Addressing Challenging Behaviors
Learn how to address challenging behaviors in dementia.
This product is a best practice.
Pocket Guide for Clinicians for Management of Chronic Pain
Helps primary care clinicians and trainees gain a basic understanding of pain and facilitate early assessment and interventions. Includes:
Brief synopsis of the various aspects of pain management
Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions known to be effective for pain management
Overview of Stepped Care Model for Pain Management
Published 2017 | Revised 2023
This product is a best practice.
Pro Tips for Coaching webSTAIR: A Transdiagnostic Web-based Program for Veterans Exposed to Trauma
webSTAIR is a Veteran-facing online version of Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR), which was developed for individuals who have experienced trauma. webSTAIR combines self-paced online training modules and virtual coaching sessions to support real-life skill application to improve emotion regulation, relationship functioning, and quality of life for Veterans who have experienced a trauma. The goal of this training manual is to increase the reach of webSTAIR to Veterans with mild-to-moderate levels of trauma-related symptoms.
Provides an introduction to webSTAIR and describes who is a good fit for the program, available models, and considerations when introducing Veterans to webSTAIR.
Helps clinicians navigate the webSTAIR program clinician and Veteran dashboards, features, progress monitor, resources, toolbox, course list, user achievement badges, and module content.
webSTAIR is not an appropriate intervention for Veterans with severe mental health problems, or with primary clinical concerns that would be best treated by a specific type of intervention (such as Exposure Response Prevention for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Panic Disorder).
Published 2023
This product is an evidence-based practice.
Problem Gambling: Steps to Cut Down
This brochure describes gambling problems, how to briefly assess for gambling problems, and what steps can be taken to curtail the further development and continuation of gambling problems.
Uses information from the Shortened South Oaks Gambling Screen and DSM-5
Allows providers to conduct quick, on-site assessments
Educates on the existence of a gambling problem
Published 2013 | Updated 2020
Provider Communication: Education and Practice in a Veterans Healthcare System
This training video and facilitator guide addresses provider-patient communication within the VA system.
Provides concrete and empirically supported techniques
Interactive sections help providers share effective communication techniques
Veterans are encouraged to use support from family, friends, and peers
Published 2016
This product is a best practice.
Psychotherapy Options for Veterans with Psychosis Brochures
These brochures explain psychosocial interventions that can be helpful in the treatment of Veterans with psychosis.
Includes Veteran brochure that describes psychosis and what to expect during four treatment interventions
Includes clinician brochure that describes four psychosocial interventions for treating psychosis
Published 2019
Self-Help STOP WORRY: A Tool for Older Veterans
This is a user-friendly, guided cognitive behavioral treatment of generalized anxiety disorder for Veterans 60 years of age or older who experience high levels of worry and anxiety (CD is no longer available).
The workbooks contain eight chapters detailing skills, including anxiety education and awareness, relaxation (Diaphragmatic Breathing and Progressive Muscle Relaxation [PMR]), problem solving, cognitive therapy, exposure and behavioral sleep management.
Self-help workbook contains practice exercises and forms to monitor progress
Workbook may be used independently or as a part of formal treatment
Published 2011 | Updated 2020
This product is a best practice.
Sexual Health After Military Sexual Trauma
These brochures for women and men raise awareness of the prevalence of sexual dysfunction after military sexual trauma (MST) and provide information on assessment and treatment of the disorder.
Includes brochures for providers and Veterans
Defines MST, sexual health, and sexual dysfunction
Veteran brochure describes sexual problems, the effects of MST on sexual health, resources, and how to get help at the VA
Provider brochure details DSM-5 and ICD-10 classifications for sexual dysfunction, provides tips on asking Veterans about sexual health, and lists resources for treatment, including the VA MST consultation program
Published 2018/2019
Sexual Health for Women Veterans
This brochure describes VA services that support women's sexual health and overall well-being.
Provides information about women's services available at VA, including birth control, immunizations, and health screenings and medications.
Encourages women Veterans to discuss VA sexual health services with their clinician.
Published 2023
Stress Less: Relaxation Enhancement Group Manuals
This brief relaxation intervention is meant to provide short-term symptom relief for anxiety and stress.
Recommended as an adjunct to established first-line treatment approaches
Includes manuals for therapists and Veterans
Therapist manual covers a comprehensive Relaxation Enhancement protocol that includes relaxation practices, resources, strategies, and a log
Veteran manual can serve as a self-help resource to identify reasons to stress less
Updated 2019
This product is a best practice.
Taking the First Step: Psychotherapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Veterans may have questions when discussing PTSD treatment options with their clinicians. This educational brochure for Veterans provides information about PTSD-focused psychotherapy at VA to address common questions. Content includes:
Definition of PTSD
Reasons to consider PTSD psychotherapy
What to expect when starting treatment
Addressing common barriers to starting PTSD psychotherapy
Online resources
Published 2023
The Great Outdoors: Engaging with Nature for Mental Health
These materials support Veterans by helping them engage in positive and healthy nature-based activities. The materials integrate the science of the benefits of engaging with nature, with the well-established approaches of behavioral activation, mindfulness, and other positive psychology exercises. The clinician manual supports the delivery of a very brief (1-2 session) or brief (3-5) session intervention in a variety of settings. The Veteran guide can be used as part of a clinician-delivered intervention, or as a self-help intervention. The material:.
Provides an overview of the science on the benefits of nature engagement and greenspace exposure.
Includes an activity to review one's past and current engagement in nature.
Integrates principles of motivational interviewing to resolve ambivalence.
Encourages value identification/prioritization and discovering nature-based activities that can support living out those values.
Uses goal setting, activity scheduling, and behavior monitoring to help Veterans increase their nature engagement.
Provides links to guided audio exercises, including 5 mindfulness exercises, 1 savoring exercise, and 2 guided imagery exercises.
Published 2022
This product is a best practice.
The Safest Bet: A Guide to Understanding Problem Gambling for Veterans and Clinicians
This guide aims to help Veterans, VA clinicians, and others learn more about issues related to gambling and to locate additional resources for problem gambling.
Can be used in sessions with a clinician, in a group with other Veterans, or as a self-help resource
Veterans using this guide for self-help are encouraged to seek out a VHA provider or other helping professional to answer additional questions or address any concerns
Has four modules that focus on readiness to change, thinking errors and tools, recovery, and Gamblers Anonymous
Includes resource list for finding help for problem gambling
Updated 2019
This product is a best practice.
Two Sides of the Same Coin: Cultural Humility and Addressing Microaggressions and Discriminatory Requests
This guide provides core information and is intended to be a quick reference of important concepts regarding cultural humility practices and responding to microaggressions and discriminatory requests from individuals.
Describes culture and its impact on healthcare, equity and cross-cultural engagement.
Encourages clinicians to practice cultural humility with patients through tools that include the CRASH model, Kleinmann's 8 questions, and a brief demonstration video.
Discusses discriminatory histories in healthcare and clinician- and patient-level barriers that influence care.
Defines microaggressions and provides strategies to respond to discriminatory requests by patients.
Published 2023 | Updated 2024
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Updated Calmer Life Program for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Anxiety
Updated Calmer Life manuals were published in 2024. These materials adapted and reworked the original Calmer Life Program to become “practice-ready” and include illustrations, modified patient vignettes, and changes to language and style. The patient manual includes more detailed instructions for utilizing the resources as guided self-help and completing homework assignments that correspond to each skill. The reworked materials were the result of a collaboration between Maribel Plasencia, PhD, Raquel D. Gonzalez, BA, Nicte Donis, BS, Jennifer Lee, BA, and Jeffrey Cully, PhD. Illustrations were created by Raquel D. Gonzalez, BA.
This product is a best practice.
Veteran Parenting Toolkits
This toolkit includes five sets of age-specific parenting materials.
Good for young Veteran parents and their partners
Published 2010
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Veteran Wellness Toolkit
This toolkit is for Veterans who want to learn tools to improve their wellness.
Part of a Whole Health approach to Veterans’ well-being.
Self-paced.
Self-directed (does not require a mental health professional to use).
Sections include goal setting, understanding health, wellness tools, and additional resources.
Includes practical wellness tools, such as self-compassion, gratitude, thinking positively, and eating for vitality.
Published 2019 | Updated 2024
This product is a best practice.
Veterans Tai Chi for Pain and Stress
This video is a basic introduction to Tai Chi for Veterans and created by Veterans.
Can be used for mental, emotional and physical health
Helpful for people with limited ability to exercise
Can be done alone or in a group
Published 2018
This product is a best practice.
Walking to Wellness: Exercise for Physical and Emotional Health
This walking program is for Veterans who want to use exercise to help manage their emotional symptoms and improve their physical health. Program materials were completely revised and updated in 2023.
For Veterans experiencing mild to moderate stress, anxiety or depression symptoms.
Workbook can be used alone as a self-help guide.
Includes exercise tip sheets, activity planning worksheets, and personal logs to record experiences.
Features new supplemental guides for mindful walking and walking with a caregiver:
Integrating Mindfulness Into Walking Activities defines mindfulness and how to use mindfulness techniques when walking.
Caregiver Walking Together has information and suggestions to help caregivers walk with someone who has dementia or other cognitive impairment.
Facilitator manual provides current scientific background on exercise and mental health and gives suggestions for using the materials with individuals and groups.
Published 2015 | Updated 2023
This product is a best practice.
Wellness While Waiting Guide
The Wellness While Waiting patient education materials were designed to promote physical and emotional wellness for Veterans awaiting organ transplant and their caregivers. The guide covers several topics including common emotional responses to the wait for transplant, skills to increase emotional wellness, and strategies to continue engagement in health-affirming behaviors. The 5 supplemental handouts cover additional mental health topics (depression, anxiety, cognitive compensatory skills, relapse prevention for tobacco use, and relapse prevention for alcohol or other drug use). All materials also assist with care navigation within the VA by directing Veterans and their caregivers to appropriate resources. The Core Packet consists of:
The Wellness While Waiting Guide
Visit agenda cards to facilitate Veteran-Provider communication
A Caregiver Wellness handout to emphasize good caregiver self-care and offer further resources for caregiver support
Please note that the health care information provided in these materials is for educational purposes only. It does not replace the role of a medical practitioner for advice on care and treatment. If you are looking for professional medical care, find your local VA healthcare center by using the VA Facilities Locator & Directory.
