Project COMET: Massed Prolonged Exposure for PTSD and SUD

Massed Prolonged Exposure (M-PE) is a trauma-focused, evidence-based behavioral intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is delivered over a compressed timeline (e.g., 10 sessions over 2-4 weeks) as opposed to weekly sessions over 3-4 months. This format has been shown to accelerate PTSD symptom reduction and reduce treatment dropout. In this study, M-PE will be delivered concurrently with an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for substance use disorder (SUD) at Gateway Community Services. Sessions will be led by trained clinicians using a standardized PE protocol, with treatment including imaginal exposure, in vivo exposure, and processing.

"Patients randomized to usual care will receive standard intensive outpatient SUD treatment.~* Resilience group (weekly)~* Peer support~* Individual therapy from a variety of modalities"