New PTSD Remission Program with STRONG STAR at UT Health San Antonio offers hope for healing

UT Health San Antonio
Apr 02, 2025

UT Health San Antonio is introducing the PTSD Remission Program, a groundbreaking three-week treatment aimed at helping individuals overcome post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In partnership with STRONG STAR, the program offers intensive, evidence-based care designed to provide lasting relief in a condensed timeframe.

The program includes up to 15 consecutive days of personalized, one-on-one therapy using Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy, a proven treatment that helps individuals process traumatic memories. The intensive format allows patients to make meaningful progress in a short period, with some achieving significant improvement in fewer sessions.

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Taming tinnitus: New insights find connection between this common condition and PTSD

UT Health San Antonio: Future magazine
Sep 24, 2024

It can manifest as a low- or high-pitched tone — a squeal, buzz, roar, chirp or click seemingly coming from one or both ears or in the head. It can dissipate within seconds or be continually present; barely discernable or as loud as a freight train.

Many people live with tinnitus and consider it to be a minor annoyance, but for up to 20% of sufferers, the condition can be bothersome enough to impair daily function.

John Moring, PhD, assistant research professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, has lived with tinnitus for as long as he can remember. Moring was a gymnast while growing up and thinks his tinnitus could be related to head or neck injuries he received during that time. While he is lucky enough to be part of the 80% of people only mildly hindered by the condition, he wondered if there was a way to help others who are truly suffering.

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STRONG STAR Consortium secures $17 million in DOD research funding for brain injuries, PTSD and more

UT Health San Antonio
Apr 29, 2024

In a recent round of grant awards, the U.S. Department of Defense selected the STRONG STAR Consortium based at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) for a total of $17 million in funding to launch eight new research projects focused on traumatic brain injury and psychological health. The combined projects will enable the consortium to take a big step forward in its mission to advance the care of military personnel and veterans recovering from war-related trauma and the psychological wounds it inflicts.

VERIFY | Can magnesium really help you sleep?

KENS-TV 5
Feb 17, 2024

Sleep affects every aspect of our lives from the home, to work, school and random interactions with other people. Nearly 70 million Americans have some kind of sleep disorder. Insomnia is number one with 30 percent of adults experiencing it, at least short term. One out of every 10 people is said to suffer from chronic insomnia. In this segment of Verify, KENS-5 looks into a natural sleep aid that is all the rage — magnesium — and asks if it can really help. For the answer, they consult with Vincent Mysliwiec, MD, professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, an expert in sleep medicine and a collaborating investigator with the STRONG STAR Consortium.

Veterans face stigma over PTSD: ‘Something that we as a country need to overcome’

San Antonio Report
Nov 11, 2023

Following attendance of the San Antonio Combat PTSD Conference hosted by STRONG STAR and UT Health San Antonio, Shari Biediger reports on how the psychological wounds of war can linger long after military service, as well on advances that have been made in treatments and chances of recovery.

Hearing ‘Thank you for your service’ makes most young veterans uncomfortable, poll says

Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Nov 11, 2023

Leaders of a USAA-led initiative called “Face the Fight,” including STRONG STAR investigator Katy Dondanville, PhD, of UT Health San Antonio, encourage us to “go beyond small talk” and connect with veterans on a deeper level to show our appreciation and lend support.

“Go Beyond Thanks:” New Survey Reveals We Should Do More Than Simply Thank Our Veterans for Their Service

AP News/PR Newswire
Nov 09, 2023

As the nation prepares to observe Veterans Day this year, USAA hopes to challenge the nation to go beyond simple gratitude to create real, positive impacts in the veteran community. The news release includes comment by STRONG STAR investigator and UT Health San Antonio faculty member Katy Dondanville, PsyD.

A human condition: the PTSD diagnosis through the years

Texas Public Radio
Nov 02, 2023

Post-traumatic stress disorder, once viewed with skepticism in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, has evolved into a widely accepted condition, shedding light on the traumas that define human experience. TPR’s Carson Frame spoke with Dr. Terence Keane, director of the National Center for PTSD-Behavioral Sciences Division, about that shift, beginning with the Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study. Their conversation was in advance of Dr. Keane’s keynote address at the 8th Annual San Antonio Combat PTSD Conference, presented by the STRONG STAR Consortium and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

50 years since the Vietnam war: PTSD and how far we’ve come in treatments

News 4 San Antonio/WOAI-TV
Oct 18, 2023

Covering the 2023 San Antonio Combat PTSD Conference presented by the STRONG STAR Consortium and UT Health San Antonio, News 4 reporter Mariza Mendoza speaks with STRONG STAR Director Dr. Alan Peterson about how our understanding and treatment of PTSD has advanced since the Vietnam War ended 50 years ago. U.S. Navy Veteran Hakim Mathis also shares his story of recovery from PTSD after receiving evidence-based treatment and encourages other veterans to seek the help if needed.

Commentary: Face the fight in ending veteran suicides in America

San Antonio Express-News
Sep 29, 2023

This commentary outlines the importance of Face the Fight, a veteran suicide prevention initiative launched this summer, by USAA, the Humana Foundation and Reach Resilience, an Endeavors Foundation. A coalition of corporations, foundations and nonprofits are supporting the effort, including the STRONG STAR Training Initiative based at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.