Jason DeViva, PhD

Clinical relationships between PTSD and sleep; factors related to engagement with and completion of evidence-based trauma-focused psychotherapy for PTSD.

The first research supporting the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of PTSD was published over 20 years ago. However, data indicate that veterans diagnosed with PTSD tend not to receive or engage in evidence-based psychotherapy. When they do engage, studies show that completion rates are lower than those typically seen in clinical trials. I have been interested in identifying treatment engagement and completion rates among veterans with PTSD and determining what factors might be associated with engagement and completion. I have also focused on methods for increasing engagement with and completion of PTSD treatment.

I am also interested in the relationship between trauma and sleep. Disturbed sleep appears to be associated with the development of PTSD as well as with other aspects of posttraumatic stress. Difficulties falling and staying asleep are among the most common posttraumatic symptoms, and evidence-based therapies for PTSD improve sleep only about half of the time. I have been interested in identifying the effects of treating PTSD on sleep difficulties, as well the effects of treating insomnia in individuals with otherwise untreated PTSD.