A new treatment model for veterans?: Results from a program evaluation of a recovery-oriented intensive outpatient program for veterans with heterogeneous diagnostic presentations

The purpose of this program evaluation was to investigate the effectiveness of a 10-day, group-based recovery-oriented intensive outpatient program (RIOP) offered at a VA Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center in South Texas. The RIOP utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to treatment of veterans with acute mental health concerns, bridging cognitive-behavioral processes delivered in group format with other disciplinary approaches (e.g., recreation therapy, Chaplain services). The sample for this program evaluation consisted of 112 veterans who completed the RIOP during a twelve-month period. Ninety veterans (80.4%) had two or more recorded psychiatric diagnoses, and twenty-seven veterans had three or more recorded psychiatric diagnoses (24%). Eighty-five veterans were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or adjustment disorder (75.9%); seventy-two with major depressive disorder (64.3%); fifty-three (47.3%) with a borderline personality disorder and/or documented clinically significant cluster A or B personality traits; twenty-eight with an anxiety disorder (25%); twenty-one with a bipolar disorder (18.8%); and seven with a psychotic disorder (6.3%). Results indicated a statistically significant decrease in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress between pre- and post-treatment. Change in symptoms from baseline to post-treatment was not significantly correlated with age or number of psychiatric diagnoses. The results of the program evaluation suggest that a process-based cognitive-behavioral approach in combination with interventions from other recovery-oriented disciplines (delivered via group modality) can be an effective transdiagnostic treatment for veterans with complex trauma histories who meet criteria for more than one psychiatric diagnosis.

Automated summary

The program evaluation investigated the effectiveness of a 10-day, group-based recovery-oriented intensive outpatient program offered at a VA Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center in South Texas. Results showed that a process-based cognitive-behavioral approach combined with interventions from other recovery-oriented disciplines can be effective in treating veterans with complex trauma histories who meet criteria for more than one psychiatric diagnosis, leading to a significant decrease in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress from pre- to post-treatment.