A new treatment model for veterans?: Results from a program evaluation of a recovery-oriented intensive outpatient program for veterans with heterogeneous diagnostic presentations

The purpose of this program evaluation was to investigate the effectiveness of a 10-day, group-based recovery-oriented intensive outpatient program (RIOP) offered at a VA Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center in South Texas. The RIOP utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to treatment of veterans with acute mental health concerns, bridging cognitive-behavioral processes delivered in group format with other disciplinary approaches (e.g., recreation therapy, Chaplain services). The sample for this program evaluation consisted of 112 veterans who completed the RIOP during a twelve-month period. Ninety veterans (80.4%) had two or more recorded psychiatric diagnoses, and twenty-seven veterans had three or more recorded psychiatric diagnoses (24%). Eighty-five veterans were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or adjustment disorder (75.9%); seventy-two with major depressive disorder (64.3%); fifty-three (47.3%) with a borderline personality disorder and/or documented clinically significant cluster A or B personality traits; twenty-eight with an anxiety disorder (25%); twenty-one with a bipolar disorder (18.8%); and seven with a psychotic disorder (6.3%). Results indicated a statistically significant decrease in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress between pre- and post-treatment. Change in symptoms from baseline to post-treatment was not significantly correlated with age or number of psychiatric diagnoses. The results of the program evaluation suggest that a process-based cognitive-behavioral approach in combination with interventions from other recovery-oriented disciplines (delivered via group modality) can be an effective transdiagnostic treatment for veterans with complex trauma histories who meet criteria for more than one psychiatric diagnosis.