The future of healing from combat PTSD, with the help of artificial intelligence
KSAT-12 News Special: "50 Years After the Fall: From Saigon to San Antonio"April 16, 2025
This article is part of KSAT’s special, “50 Years After The Fall: From Saigon to San Antonio,” highlighting how the war in Vietnam affected veterans in the Alamo City and South Texas. In preparation for this special, KSAT journalists attended part of the 9th Annual San Antonio Combat PTSD Conference presented in October 2024 by the STRONG STAR Consortium and UT Health San Antonio to learn about the latest advances in treating combat-related PTSD and other military psychological health conditions. In this interview, Philip Held, PhD, of Rush University Medical Center, one of the conference presenters, explains how an AI tool called “Socrates 2.0” assists in PTSD therapy.
New PTSD Remission Program with STRONG STAR at UT Health San Antonio offers hope for healing
UT Health San AntonioApril 2, 2025
UT Health San Antonio is introducing the PTSD Remission Program, a groundbreaking three-week treatment aimed at helping individuals overcome post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In partnership with STRONG STAR, the program offers intensive, evidence-based care designed to provide lasting relief in a condensed timeframe. The program includes up to 15 consecutive days of personalized, one-on-one therapy using Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy, a proven treatment that helps individuals process traumatic memories. The intensive format allows patients to make meaningful progress in a short period, with some achieving significant improvement in fewer sessions.
‘I needed help’: San Antonio study to use ecstasy for active-duty military members battling PTSD
KSAT-12 NewsMarch 24, 2025
The stage is being set for a San Antonio research team to use MDMA, also known as ecstasy, in its study to help active-duty military members with post-traumatic stress disorder. MDMA has been used in trials before and has some record of success. This study, specifically requested by Congress, would be more robust.
Researchers to test psychedelic drug plus therapy to help military members with PTSD
UT Health San Antonio NewsroomFebruary 27, 2025
SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 27, 2025 – Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and their collaborators at Emory University have received a $4.9 million grant aimed at significantly improving treatment and recovery rates for individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The project was recently selected for funding by the U.S. Department of Defense through a call for studies to evaluate psychedelics as a treatment for PTSD in hopes of pushing the field forward. In this effort, the innovative clinical trial will use 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine hydrochloride, or MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, in combination with a leading psychotherapy for PTSD called Prolonged Exposure. Prolonged Exposure therapy for PTSD works by helping individuals process traumatic memories and feelings while recalling them in a safe environment. The goal of the new study is to capitalize on beneficial MDMA properties in a synergistic way to enhance Prolonged Exposure’s …
Science & Medicine: Veterans write new endings for their nightmares
Texas Public RadioJanuary 27, 2025
This episode of Texas Public Radio’s “Science & Medicine” features a sit-down with Kristi Pruiksma, PhD, a faculty member with The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and research investigator with the STRONG STAR Consortium. In the discussion, Dr. Pruiksma describes how recurring nightmares can be particularly troublesome for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and how cognitive behavioral therapy for nightmares can be used to help individuals take control over their dreams. TPR’s Science & Medicine is a weekly podcast that explains how scientific discovery at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio advances the way medicine is practiced around the world. It is a collaboration between TPR and UT Health San Antonio.
Study tests novel approach to PTSD treatment that helps individuals and spouses
Penn StateNovember 8, 2024
This news article by Penn State describes a STRONG STAR clinical trial led by Steffany Fredman to evaluate a novel therapy approach for PTSD and relationship issues for military and veteran couples. The trial is testing treatment delivered as part of a weekend retreat at a San Antonio hotel. Recruitment is open to couples nationwide who can travel to San Antonio for the retreat.
US Air Force veteran finds hope in suicide prevention therapy focusing on stress responses
KSAT-12 NewsOctober 27, 2024
In this news story by KSAT-12, reporter Courtney Friedman sits down for conversations with U.S. Air Force veteran Nancy Dickinson and national suicide expert and STRONG STAR research collaborator Dr. Craig Bryan at the 9th Annual San Antonio Combat PTSD Conference. Dickinson, who shares how a non-combat role in medical operations nonetheless led to frequent combat-related exposures during deployment to Iraq, is happy to see treatment advances in military psychological health and encourages her peers to seek help as she did. Bryan discusses themes from his keynote address, including the need to adopt a paradigm shift in how we think about suicide risk and prevention. He also describes brief cognitive behavioral therapy for suicide and its efficacy in helping those who are at risk.
Women veterans share triumphs and traumas at San Antonio’s 9th Annual PTSD Conference
Texas Public RadioOctober 24, 2024
Texas Public Radio covered the 9th San Antonio Combat PTSD Conference, presented by STRONG STAR and UT Health San Antonio, and took particular interest in the conference’s Women Veterans Panel, in which female veterans shared and reflected on their unique experiences and challenges as women in the military. The veterans panel has become a highly popular feature of the conference, as those in attendance appreciate the personal stories and perspectives of our warfighters.
Army veteran shares harrowing PTSD journey
News 4 San Antonio/WOAI-TVOctober 23, 2024
U.S. Army veteran Steve Moon shared about his journey from PTSD to recovery as part of this WOAI-TV/News 4 San Antonio story about the San Antonio Combat PTSD Conference presented Oct. 22-23, 2024, by the STRONG STAR Consortium and UT Health San Antonio. In this news story, Dr. Alan Peterson of UT Health San Antonio and director of STRONG STAR tells more about the conference and its focus on advancing military psychological health.
Research innovations on military combat PTSD to be presented at local gathering of national experts
San Antonio Express-NewsOctober 20, 2024
The San Antonio Express-News offers an advance look at what will be featured at the San Antonio Combat PTSD Conference later this week.