The Psychological Health Center of Excellence (PHCoE) produces expert-reviewed evidence briefs on existing and potential treatments for psychological health conditions that are commonly experienced by service members. Psych Health Evidence Briefs provide summaries of the available scientific evidence and clinical guidance to inform providers, patients and others who may have questions about the effectiveness of these treatments.

Each brief includes:

• An introduction of the treatment or topic, including a brief description of the treatment and the potential mechanisms of action
• Guidance from existing VA/DOD evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) when available
• Identification and summaries of reviews conducted by organizations recognized as employing rigorous methodology with similar grading systems as the VA/DOD CPGs
• For treatments with an emerging or inconsistent evidence base, a systematic literature search
• A conclusion that summarizes what is known and what has yet to be determined, as well as guidance about adoption

Read more about the methodology behind Psych Health Evidence Briefs.

New briefs on potential treatments are regularly added to the collection. Existing briefs are updated every three years with the latest evidence and guidance.

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Evidence Briefs by Condition

Adjustment Disorder (AD)

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adjustment Disorder
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors for Adjustment Disorder
• Web-based Self-help Interventions for Adjustment Disorder

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

• 12-Step Facilitation for Alcohol Use Disorder
• Acamprosate for Alcohol Use Disorder
• Behavioral Couples Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder
• Brief Alcohol Interventions for Unhealthy Alcohol Use
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder
• Community Reinforcement Approach for Alcohol Use Disorder
• Contingency Management for Alcohol Use Disorder
• Disulfiram for Alcohol Use Disorder
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
• Naltrexone for Alcohol Use Disorder
• Topiramate for Alcohol Use Disorder

Cannabis Use Disorder

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Cannabis Use Disorder
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy for Cannabis Use Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Benzodiazepines for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Kava for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder
• Behavioral Therapy/Behavioral Activation for Major Depressive Disorder
• Botulinum Toxin for Major Depressive Disorder
• Client-Centered Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder
• Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation for Major Depressive Disorder
• Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder
• Exercise for Major Depressive Disorder
• Light Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder
• Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder
• Problem-Solving Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder
• Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Major Depressive Disorder
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) for Major Depressive Disorder
• Short-term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for Major Depressive Disorder
• St. Johns Wort for Major Depressive Disorder
• Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Major Depressive Disorder
• Yoga for Major Depressive Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

• Clomipramine for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Exposure and Response Prevention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Opioid Use Disorder

• Buprenorphine/Naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder

Panic Disorder

• Panic-Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for Panic Disorder

Pathological Gambling

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Pathological Gambling

Postpartum Depression

• Brexanolone Injection for Postpartum Depression

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Accelerated Resolution Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Adaptive Disclosure for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Ayahuasca for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Biofeedback for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy for PTSD
• Canine-assisted Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Cannabis for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia for Sleep Disturbance in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Cognitive Processing Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Electroconvulsive Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Emotional Freedom Technique for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Mantram Repetition for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Narrative Exposure Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Prazosin for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder/Trauma-Related Nightmares
• Present-Centered Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Seeking Safety for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Comorbid Substance Use Disorder
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Stellate Ganglion Block for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Stress Inoculation Training for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Transcendental Meditation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Venlafaxine for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Written Narrative Exposure for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Yoga for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Stimulant Use Disorder

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Stimulant Use Disorder
• Recovery-Focused Behavioral Therapy for Stimulant Use Disorder

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

• Acupuncture for Substance Use Disorder
• Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention for Substance Use Disorder
• Seeking Safety for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Comorbid Substance Use Disorder

Suicidality

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicidality
• Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality
• Crisis Response Planning for Suicidality
• Ketamine for Suicidality
• Lethal Means Safety for Suicidality
• Safety Planning Intervention for Suicidality