Wilford Hall opens new PTSD Clinic

  • Published
  • By Linda Frost
  • 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  Wilford Hall Medical Center has a new clinic to treat patients who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder.

The PTSD Clinic offers evidence-based treatments and a virtual reality program to help Airmen returning from combat operations.

PTSD is an anxiety disorder which can occur after a person has been through a traumatic event, according to the National Center for PTSD.

"We want to provide the highest quality care possible for patients experiencing PTSD," said Col. (Dr.) Gerald Talcott, 59th Medical Wing Mental Health Squadron commander.

As part of the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, the PTSD Clinic was created in response to the increasing number of service and family members with PTSD. It is timely in that it coincides with the establishment of the Air Force's new Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy, a pilot program initiated at eight Air Force bases.

The Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy, using a computer-simulated Virtual Iraq and Virtual Afghanistan, allows Airmen to interact and recreate a traumatic scene and recall sights, sounds, smells, thoughts and feelings.

Still in its preliminary stages, the clinic staff started seeing patients Aug. 3, and is led by Dr. Kellie Crowe, staff psychologist.

"We are very excited about providing evidence-based treatments to maximize quality of care for military personnel with PTSD symptoms," Dr. Crowe said.

In the past, providers here have treated PTSD patients, using standard treatment plans such as supportive therapy, medication management and cognitive behavior therapy.

"What makes our clinic unique is that we offer evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure treatments," Dr. Crowe said. "In addition, we are going to be using new modalities, like virtual reality. We'll also be working side by side with primary care colleagues who are treating PTSD. "

Dr. Crowe said she expects an increase in patients seeking care to continue, both in the Air Force and other branches of the Armed Forces.

"Our goal is to build a solid foundation in our PTSD treatment program here and expand as the merger of Wilford Hall and (nearby) Brooke Army Medical Center unfolds," said Colonel Talcott.

The clinic initially will operate using existing professional staff, but with the new approach. Expert consultations will be available weekly for the providers and through additional collaboration with the Veteran's Administration. New patients will be screened and referred to the proper clinic.

"It is a great training opportunity for our residents. Every resident will have a chance to treat a PTSD patient and follow their cases throughout the training year," Colonel Talcott said. "When our residents complete training, they will have had substantial education and experience in treating patients who suffer from PTSD.

"What's really exciting is we will be providing state-of-the-art training for providers, residents and technicians to enhance their practice in theater and at their next base," he said.