Now is the time to secure your seats for the 10th Annual San Antonio Combat PTSD Conference, to be held Oct. 20-21, at The Westin Riverwalk in downtown San Antonio, Texas. The conference has opened registration and shared a preview of its compelling program on its website. While this year’s venue offers expanded seating capacity, organizers emphasize the importance of early registration for this popular, one-of-a-kind event.
The San Antonio Combat PTSD Conference is sponsored by the STRONG STAR Consortium and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio). Recognized as the premier scientific gathering on the topic of military psychological health, the annual event shares the state of the science on the prevention and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and commonly co-occurring conditions that affect military service members and veterans.
Each year, the conference attracts an international audience that includes researchers, clinicians, leaders and policy makers within the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs as well as from academic institutions and the civilian sector. Numerous military personnel, veterans and community members with an interest in the mental health needs of our nation’s warfighters also join the proceedings, as do students and professional trainees.
“This year’s conference has so much to offer, whether you’re a researcher or clinician or community member,” said Alan Peterson, PhD, director of the STRONG STAR Consortium and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at UT Health San Antonio. “We’ll report on the promise of innovative new and complementary treatments, offer practical tips and advice on the delivery of evidence-based therapies, and share personal stories and enjoy professional camaraderie that inspires us in our work,” he said.
The event offers the opportunity for 12 continuing education (CE) credits for licensed providers.
Program highlights
The conference program features an agenda that is sure to generate lively discussion, beginning with its keynote speakers. International expert Barbara Rothbaum, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Emory University School of Medicine, will speak on a topic that has great national interest: the promise of psychedelic-assisted therapy for the treatment of PTSD.
Meanwhile, this year’s “Profiles in Resilience” speaker will be Benjamin Hall, a news correspondent and New York Times bestselling author who was critically injured while reporting on the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and recovered at Brooke Army Medical Center. He will focus his address on factors that contributed to his resolve in overcoming the psychological aftermath of trauma. His talk will be followed by a unique panel that consists of his orthopedic surgeon, Joseph Alderete, MD, and other clinicians who encouraged his inherent resilience and post-traumatic optimism.
Other highlights will include scientific experts presenting on strategies to optimize PTSD treatment outcomes by involving romantic partners and family members, non-medication treatments for post-traumatic headache, and how to address trauma-related shame and guilt. Self-compassion, moral injury and spirituality will also be discussed in the context of evidence-based treatments. A reception and poster session will be held the evening of the first day.
“This conference is a tremendous opportunity for all those with an interest in the psychological needs of the warfighter to update themselves on the current state of the science and dialogue about where we need to go from here,” said Peterson. “How can we bring the greatest hope for recovery to the service members and veterans we aim to serve?”
The importance of partnership
Peterson expressed his appreciation to sponsors who make the San Antonio Combat PTSD Conference possible. He particularly thanked the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which continues its vital role as the event’s presenting sponsor. “Their support of our conference is crucial to our ability to host the event and to keep registration fees down,” he said.
The Bob Woodruff Foundation raises awareness about the tough challenges veterans and military families are facing and invests in solutions to help support them in the next chapter of their lives.
“The San Antonio Combat PTSD Conference equips providers with the latest research and tools to improve care for our nation’s veterans and service members,” said Emily Bader, senior director of investments at the Bob Woodruff Foundation. “We’re proud to support this initiative as it advances evidence-based solutions and connects the dots between research and real-world impact.”
For additional information on the conference, registration, and CE opportunities, visit www.combatPTSDconference.com.