Evaluating the Effectiveness of Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) Psychotherapy for PTSD in military Veterans
You may be eligible if you:
Are an Alberta resident
Are 18 to 65 years old
Are a military Veteran
Have a PTSD diagnosis confirmed using the CAPS-5 during the study assessment
If taking psychiatric medications, have been on a stable dose for at least 4 weeks
Are fluent in English
Are able to benefit from short-term therapy, as determined by study assessment
You may not be eligible if you:
Are at high clinical risk (e.g. risk to self or others) or in need of urgent or emergency care
Have alcohol/substance use within the last 3 months that required medical withdrawal or that is likely to interfere with therapy
Have a serious untreated or unstable medical condition
Have a history of:
Neurological condition (e.g. seizure disorder, stroke)
Significant head injury
Pervasive Developmental Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Psychotic Disorder
Have a condition that, in the clinical opinion of study psychiatrists or clinicians would make psychotherapy ineffective or unsafe, or that would interfere with study engagement and completion
If you choose to participate, you will be asked to refrain from any new medication changes for at least 4 weeks before enrolling in the study. While receiving DBR, you will also be asked not to engage in additional trauma-specific psychotherapies (e.g. EMDR, CPT, or Exposure Therapy).
When you contact our research team, you will first complete an assessment with a research assistant. If you meet the study criteria, you will be randomly assigned to either start DBR treatment right away or be placed on a waitlist. Everyone will complete an online questionnaire at the start of the study.
If you are in the DBR treatment group, you will take part in eight weekly online therapy sessions, each lasting about one hour. During these eight weeks, you will also complete brief questionnaires and check-ins with a study team member. After DBR treatment ends, you will complete an end-of-treatment assessment, an online questionnaire, and take part in one interview about your DBR experience. You will also complete an assessment and online questionnaire 3 months after finishing DBR.
If you are placed on the waitlist, you complete biweekly check-ins for the first 8 weeks, followed by assessments and online questionnaires at 8 weeks and 3 months. At the 3-month point, you will be asked if you would like to cross over and receive DBR treatment.
If you choose to receive DBR, you will complete another assessment and online questionnaire before starting treatment and then follow the same study steps as the DBR treatment group described above.
If you choose not to cross over, your participation in the study will end at that time.
All parts of this study can be done online. Therapy sessions, assessments, and one interview with the research team will take place by secure Alberta Recovery Zoom, and questionnaires can be completed online on your own time. No travel is required. You may live anywhere in Alberta and take part, as long as you have reliable internet access, a computer or a smartphone, and a private space.
What is Deep Brain Reorienting Therapy?
Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) is a trauma-focused psychotherapy developed by psychiatrist Dr. Frank Corrigan. It helps the brain and body recover from experiences of threat, shock, or overwhelm, including combat-related stress.
DBR focuses on very early physical reactions that can happen during high-stress situations or after trauma triggers or reminders. These reactions can occur even before conscious awareness of events or triggers. In therapy, these reactions are explored slowly and safely, without the need to describe traumatic events in detail. This helps the nervous system settle and complete what was left unfinished at the time of the trauma.
DBR is delivered in a structured and steady way, supporting a sense of control, safety, and stability throughout the process.
What will I be asked to do?
During Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) sessions, you will be asked to notice and briefly label very subtle physical sensations in the body. The therapist will guide you to slow down and be with these sensations for short periods, without forcing anything. You may be asked simple questions about what you are noticing in your body, rather than giving detailed accounts of past events. The pace is adjusted to what feels manageable. The goal is to stay present, grounded, and in control throughout the session.
Who will deliver DBR therapy?
Therapy sessions will be provided by DBR-trained psychotherapists based in Edmonton, Alberta. This includes psychiatrists Drs. Lisa Burback and Olga Winkler, who will be supervised by Dr. Frank Corrigan, the developer of DBR.
Potential Benefits:
Some potential benefits may include reduction in symptoms of PTSD, improved coping, and better daily functioning. Participants will also be helping to improve treatments for future patients with post-traumatic conditions.
Potential Risks:
Working with trauma-related content may lead to temporary increases in distress or symptoms during or in-between sessions. During the time period of DBR delivery, the study team actively monitors responses closely and provides support as needed. Because sessions are conducted online and data are stored electronically, there is a small risk to privacy, although multiple security measures are in place to protect confidentiality.
E-mail our research team at mindlab@ualberta.ca
•Study Title: Deep Brain Reorienting for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder •Ethics Protocol: Pro00160040
•Principal Investigator: Dr. Olga Winkler, MD FRCPC, Associate Clinical Professor, University of Alberta
•Phone: 780-342-5635 •Email: mindlab@ualberta.ca