A Mobile App for Peer-led Seeking Safety
| Status: | Not yet recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Hospital, Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology, Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 65 |
| Updated: | 2/22/2019 |
| Start Date: | July 2019 |
| End Date: | June 2020 |
| Contact: | Lisa Najavits, PhD |
| Email: | director@treatment-innovations.org |
| Phone: | 617-299-1620 |
A Technology Solution for Peer-led Seeking Safety
Peer support is historically prominent for substance use disorder (SUD), such as the
world-wide model of Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step groups. Yet for trauma and
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) there have been few attempts at peer help. A major
challenge of trauma peer groups is that they usually focus on telling the story of members'
trauma histories, which can be overly triggering and distressing. Seeking Safety offers an
excellent choice for peer-led care. It is an evidence-based and is the most widely adopted
model for SUD/PTD. It is present-focused, cognitive-behavioral, and provides psychoeducation
and coping skills to help clients attain greater safety in their lives. It has been
successfully implemented in peer-led format for many years and has been studied in various
trials, including a recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing peer versus
professional delivery, with positive results. In Phase 1 we developed a beta version of a
mobile app for peer-led Seeking Safety (PLSS). In Phase 2 we will enhance the app features
and content and also conduct an RCT in a sample of adults with current SUD/PTSD to compare
the Peer Safety app condition to a control app.
world-wide model of Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step groups. Yet for trauma and
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) there have been few attempts at peer help. A major
challenge of trauma peer groups is that they usually focus on telling the story of members'
trauma histories, which can be overly triggering and distressing. Seeking Safety offers an
excellent choice for peer-led care. It is an evidence-based and is the most widely adopted
model for SUD/PTD. It is present-focused, cognitive-behavioral, and provides psychoeducation
and coping skills to help clients attain greater safety in their lives. It has been
successfully implemented in peer-led format for many years and has been studied in various
trials, including a recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing peer versus
professional delivery, with positive results. In Phase 1 we developed a beta version of a
mobile app for peer-led Seeking Safety (PLSS). In Phase 2 we will enhance the app features
and content and also conduct an RCT in a sample of adults with current SUD/PTSD to compare
the Peer Safety app condition to a control app.
Peers are increasingly recognized as an important asset in healthcare. Peer support is
historically most prominent for substance use disorder (SUD), such as the world-wide model of
Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step groups. Yet for trauma and posttraumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) there have been few attempts at peer help. A major challenge of trauma peer
groups is that they usually focus on telling the story of members' trauma histories, which
can be overly triggering and distressing. Seeking Safety offers an excellent choice for
peer-led care. It is an evidence-based and is the most widely adopted model for SUD/PTD. It
is present-focused, cognitive-behavioral, and provides psychoeducation and coping skills to
help clients attain greater safety in their lives-- safety from unsafe behavior toward
themselves and others, substance use, and trauma symptoms. It has been successfully
implemented in peer-led format for many years and has been studied in various trials,
including a recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing peer versus professional
delivery, with positive results. In Phase 1 we developed a beta version of a mobile app for
peer-led Seeking Safety (PLSS). The Peer Safety (PS) app was based on extensive input from
end users and was evaluated in a feasibility study. We found strong positive results in Phase
1 and are now conducting a Phase 2 project to continue this work. In Phase 2 we are enhancing
the app features and content and will also conduct an RCT in a sample of adults with current
SUD/PTSD to compare the PS app condition to a control app. They will have 12 weeks to use the
app and participate in weekly online PLSS, and will be assessed pre, post and at 3-month
followup using validated instruments. We will also measure app usage and satisfaction. The
primary outcomes are substance use and trauma symptoms. Our public health goal is to leverage
technology to create PLSS in an online environment that would support recovery, powered by
highly engaging content and delivery. The PS app could address the need for access in remote
locations, for anonymous help, and for convenient, low-cost help, delivered by people who
share their experiences as peers. Even for those who do attend in-person modalities, the app
can provide additional support and unique features. This project proposes a novel technology
solution to provide care for an important population-- people with SUD/PTSD.
historically most prominent for substance use disorder (SUD), such as the world-wide model of
Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step groups. Yet for trauma and posttraumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) there have been few attempts at peer help. A major challenge of trauma peer
groups is that they usually focus on telling the story of members' trauma histories, which
can be overly triggering and distressing. Seeking Safety offers an excellent choice for
peer-led care. It is an evidence-based and is the most widely adopted model for SUD/PTD. It
is present-focused, cognitive-behavioral, and provides psychoeducation and coping skills to
help clients attain greater safety in their lives-- safety from unsafe behavior toward
themselves and others, substance use, and trauma symptoms. It has been successfully
implemented in peer-led format for many years and has been studied in various trials,
including a recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing peer versus professional
delivery, with positive results. In Phase 1 we developed a beta version of a mobile app for
peer-led Seeking Safety (PLSS). The Peer Safety (PS) app was based on extensive input from
end users and was evaluated in a feasibility study. We found strong positive results in Phase
1 and are now conducting a Phase 2 project to continue this work. In Phase 2 we are enhancing
the app features and content and will also conduct an RCT in a sample of adults with current
SUD/PTSD to compare the PS app condition to a control app. They will have 12 weeks to use the
app and participate in weekly online PLSS, and will be assessed pre, post and at 3-month
followup using validated instruments. We will also measure app usage and satisfaction. The
primary outcomes are substance use and trauma symptoms. Our public health goal is to leverage
technology to create PLSS in an online environment that would support recovery, powered by
highly engaging content and delivery. The PS app could address the need for access in remote
locations, for anonymous help, and for convenient, low-cost help, delivered by people who
share their experiences as peers. Even for those who do attend in-person modalities, the app
can provide additional support and unique features. This project proposes a novel technology
solution to provide care for an important population-- people with SUD/PTSD.
Inclusion Criteria:
- meets DSM-5 criteria for current SUD and current PTSD (the latter either full or
subthreshold)
- has a mobile device, either Android or iOS.
Exclusion Criteria:
- current uncontrolled psychotic or bipolar disorder
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