PESI gifts $1.25 million to UC College of Medicine

Study examines therapy aimed at helping posttraumatic stress

EAU CLAIRE, Wis., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A $1.25 million gift from PESI will allow researchers at the UC College of Medicine to explore therapies used for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Thanks to this donation from one of the world's largest providers of mental health continuing education, a three-year comparative study examining the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) began in January 2023.

Kate Chard, PhD, UC professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience and director of PTSD programs at the Cincinnati Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, is leading the study involving civilians, first responders, veterans and those on active duty.

"I'm incredibly grateful to PESI for allowing me to make an important and valuable contribution to the science," Chard said. "People are looking for answers and want to trust that the therapy they are offered will work. This study offers a significant step forward in helping us understand how many viable treatment options there are for people suffering from stress responses."

PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by trauma. According to Chard, 7% of civilians globally have PTSD, the fifth most common psychiatric disorder. Typically, 20% of individuals experiencing trauma will experience PTSD. These numbers are often higher for first responders and service members.

"Our mission is to connect knowledge with the needs of mental health clinicians," said Mike Conner, executive director of PESI. "Effective and safe treatment of PTSD and trauma is essential to help ensure clinicians are equipped to handle a mental health crisis. Dr. Chard's treatment approach, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is proving to become one of the most effective methods to facilitate healing for so many who are suffering. We admire her commitment to research and her ability to communicate her work and make it accessible."

Chard said EMDR has yet to be tested against other evidence-based treatments. For example, CPT and Prolonged Exposure work quickly, have significant results and last up to 10 years. The study will provide data on these same variables for EMDR by comparing it to CPT.

"This is an opportunity to see if EMDR is as effective as one of the leading evidence-based treatments and how well it works for veterans and first responders," she said. 

"I'm thankful that PESI has given us the opportunity to apply research and innovation to benefit our global community, particularly those who have served our nation," said UC President Neville G. Pinto. "This gift will allow us to advance treatments and assist those experiencing PTSD."

"People can recover from PTSD," said Chard. "There is misinformation out there that you will suffer forever. People have trauma, and most of us naturally recover. PTSD is interrupted recovery, but there is help."

About PESI 

Founded in 1979, PESI is one of the world's largest providers of continuing education for mental health, healthcare and rehab professionals (counselor CE, social worker CE, psychologist CE, nurse CE and more). With a focus on its nonprofit mission to connect knowledge with need, PESI works with renowned mental health pioneers and advocates to provide powerful CE trainings that go beyond traditional lectures and arm clinicians with practical tools and strategies they can use to help those struggling find healing. PESI trainings include online courses, live and home study webinars, and hundreds of free resources and CE hours. For more information, go to www.pesi.com.

About Next, Now: The Campaign for Cincinnati

With its focus on innovation and impact, Next, Now: The Campaign for Cincinnati is where ambition meets action. As the comprehensive fundraising campaign for the University of Cincinnati and UC Health, the Next, Now Campaign will raise at least $2 billion for scholarships and graduate fellowships, research, the health and well-being of our region, and the signature programs and initiatives unique to UC and UC Health.

About the University of Cincinnati Foundation

Established in 1975, the University of Cincinnati Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation and the private sector fundraising entity for the University of Cincinnati and UC Health. The Foundation supports UC's aspirations through philanthropic collaboration with the colleges, the Academic Health Center, UC Health and other units to maximize private support. The Foundation's advancement efforts promote the development of productive, enduring relationships with alumni, friends, colleagues, students, foundations, corporations and the Greater Cincinnati community. For more information, please visit foundation.uc.edu.

SOURCE PESI Inc