Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)NCT07576387
Extended Group Written Exposure Therapy for Comorbid PTSD and BPD (Traits)
A study testing Group Written Exposure Therapy in people with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), run by St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
The goal of this open label trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual group extended Written Exposure Therapy (GE-WET) in reducing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms in patients with comorbid PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or BPD traits. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- What is being tested?
- Group Written Exposure Therapy
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 63 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- Jun 2026to Dec 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Reading and writing proficiency in English
- Access to an electronic device to attend virtual group meetings
- Age 18-65
- Previous diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)/BPD traits
- Completion of a DBT skills group via St. Joe's Community Psychiatry Clinic
Who cannot join
- Diagnosis of an active severe substance use disorder or psychotic disorder
- Untreated active psychotic symptoms, mania, or hypomania
- Has attempted suicide in the 2 months prior to treatment beginning
- Has engaged in high-risk self-harm (e.g., cutting, burning, asphyxiation) in the 2 months prior to beginning treatment
- Has completed Cognitive Processing Therapy or another active PTSD treatment (i.e., prolonged exposure) in the past year
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
The goal of this open label trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual group extended Written Exposure Therapy (GE-WET) in reducing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms in patients with comorbid PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or BPD traits. GE-WET involves attending weekly 2-hour group WET sessions for the duration of 10 weeks, in which they write about their trauma experience using specific instructions.
This study will be conducted at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton's Community Psychiatry Clinic with clients wait listed for PTSD treatment (ages 18- 65, any gender, co-morbid PTSD and BPD/BPD traits).
Read more
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
Does GE-WET reduce PTSD symptoms (based on PCL-5 measures) in this population (outpatient clients ages 18-65 of any gender, with a diagnosis of PTSD and BPD or BPD traits)?
Does GE-WET result in reduced drop-out rates for this population, compared to that of other evidence-based treatment for PTSD?
What are participants subjective experience of GE-WET?
- Being tested
- Group Written Exposure Therapy
- Keywords
- borderline personality disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, written exposure therapy, group therapy, virtual
- Medical subject headings
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Borderline Personality Disorder
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Group Written Exposure TherapyBehavioural
Group Extended Written Exposure Therapy (GE-WET) is a time-limited cognitive behavioural therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) aimed at allowing patients to process their traumatic experiences in a safe environment. GE-WET will consist of 10 weekly group sessions. Participants will be asked to complete weekly in-session written exposures where they will recount their traumatic experience. The written exposure will be followed by a guided discussion about the experience of writing the exposure. There is no homework assigned between sessions. However, group members will be asked to refrain from avoiding thinking about the trauma between sessions.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group Extended Written Exposure Therapy | Experimental | Participants will be invited to participate in group extended Written Exposure Therapy (described in the Interventions section). Receives: Behavioral: Group Written Exposure Therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
Measured: From pre-treatment (1 week before the start of group) to one-month follow-up at about 4 months
Secondary outcomes (7)
Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory
A 36-item self-report questionnaire that assesses negative thoughts across three subscales: negative cognitions about the self (e.g., "I am a weak person"), negative cognitions about the world (e.g., "I have to be on guard all the time"), and self-blame (e.g., "the event happened because of the way I acted"). The PTCI has demonstrated good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity with other measures of posttraumatic cognitions.
Measured: From pre-treatment (1 week before the start of group) to one-month follow-up at about 4 months
Borderline Symptom List- Short Version (BSL-23)
The BSL-23 is a 23-item self-report measure that assesses for DSM borderline personality disorder symptomatology as well as associated problems such as self-criticism, loneliness, helplessness, and problems with trust. The BSL-23 has demonstrated high internal consistency and test-retest reliability, and strong convergent validity with correlations with depression and general psychopathology severity.
Measured: From pre-treatment (1 week before the start of group) to one-month follow-up at about 4 months
Borderline Symptom List Behaviour Supplement
The BSL-23 Behaviour Supplement is an 11-item supplemental measure used to assess frequency of problematic behaviours (e.g., non-suicidal self-injury, suicide attempts, suicidal communication, angry outbursts, misuse of substances, etc.) associated with borderline personality disorder.
Measured: From pre-treatment (1 week before the start of group) to one-month follow-up at about 4 months
Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20)
The TAS-20 is a 20-item self-report measure assessing for alexithymia (i.e., issues in identifying and processing emotions) across three factors: difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, and externally-oriented thinking. The TAS-20 has demonstrated adequate levels of convergent validity, good internal consistency, and good test-retest reliability.
Measured: From pre-treatment (1 week before the start of group) to one-month follow-up at about 4 months
Experience of Shame Scale (ESS)
The ESS is a 25-item self-report measure assessing characterological shame (e.g., shame of personal habits or personal ability), behavioural shame (e.g., shame in doing or saying something wrong), and bodily shame (e.g., shame regarding one's body). The ESS has demonstrated good internal consistency and test-retest reliability.
Measured: From pre-treatment (1 week before the start of group) to one-month follow-up at about 4 months
Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)
The DERS is a widely used 36-item self-report measure assessing six dimensions of emotion regulation difficulties. The DERS demonstrates good internal consistency, convergent validity, and predictive validity of behaviours reflective of emotion regulation difficulties.
Measured: From pre-treatment (1 week before the start of group) to one-month follow-up at about 4 months
Group Cohesion Scale - Revised (GCS-R)
The GCS-R is a self-report measure that measure's group member's perception of their group and the strength of the bonds formed. The GCS-R showed high reliability for use in research and is sensitive to detecting changes in cohesiveness as a function of group development.
Measured: Mid treatment (at about 5 weeks after start of group) and post treatment (at about 10 weeks)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 May 2026
- Study startJun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionJun 2028 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 63 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Jennifer Ip, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07576387
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 18906
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 20 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 8 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Treadwell, T., Lavertue, N., Kumar, V. K., & Veeraraghavan, V. (2001). The Group Cohesion Scale-Revised: Reliability and validity. International Journal of Action Methods: Psychodrama, Skill Training, and Role Playing, 54(1), 3-12.
Gratz, K. L., & Roemer, L. (2004). Multidimensional assessment of emotion regulation and dysregulation: Development, factor structure, and initial validation of the difficulties in emotion regulation scale. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 26, 41-54.
Andrews B, Qian M, Valentine JD. Predicting depressive symptoms with a new measure of shame: The Experience of Shame Scale. Br J Clin Psychol. 2002 Mar;41(Pt 1):29-42. doi: 10.1348/014466502163778.
PubMed 11931676Bagby RM, Taylor GJ, Parker JD. The Twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale--II. Convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity. J Psychosom Res. 1994 Jan;38(1):33-40. doi: 10.1016/0022-3999(94)90006-x.
PubMed 8126688Bohus M, Kleindienst N, Limberger MF, Stieglitz RD, Domsalla M, Chapman AL, Steil R, Philipsen A, Wolf M. The short version of the Borderline Symptom List (BSL-23): development and initial data on psychometric properties. Psychopathology. 2009;42(1):32-9. doi: 10.1159/000173701. Epub 2008 Nov 20.
PubMed 19023232Foa, E.B., Ehlers, A., Clark, D.M., Tolin, D.F., & Orsillo, S.M. (1999). The Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI): Development and validation. Psychological Assessment, 11(3), 303-314.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Extended Group Written Exposure Therapy for Comorbid PTSD and BPD (Traits)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07576387
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 18906
- Keywords
- borderline personality disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, written exposure therapy, group therapy, virtual
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 63 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- St. Joseph's Healthcare HamiltonUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Jun 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 8 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this open label trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual group extended Written Exposure Therapy (GE-WET) in reducing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms in patients with comorbid PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or BPD traits. GE-WET involves attending weekly 2-hour group WET sessions for the duration of 10 weeks, in which they write about their trauma experience using specific instructions.
This study will be conducted at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton's Community Psychiatry Clinic with clients wait listed for PTSD treatment (ages 18- 65, any gender, co-morbid PTSD and BPD/BPD traits).
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
Does GE-WET reduce PTSD symptoms (based on PCL-5 measures) in this population (outpatient clients ages 18-65 of any gender, with a diagnosis of PTSD and BPD or BPD traits)?
Does GE-WET result in reduced drop-out rates for this population, compared to that of other evidence-based treatment for PTSD?
What are participants subjective experience of GE-WET?
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group Extended Written Exposure Therapy | Experimental | Behavioral: Group Written Exposure TherapyParticipants will be invited to participate in group extended Written Exposure Therapy (described in the Interventions section). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Reading and writing proficiency in English
- Access to an electronic device to attend virtual group meetings
- Age 18-65
- Previous diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)/BPD traits
- Completion of a DBT skills group via St. Joe's Community Psychiatry Clinic
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Diagnosis of an active severe substance use disorder or psychotic disorder
- Untreated active psychotic symptoms, mania, or hypomania
- Has attempted suicide in the 2 months prior to treatment beginning
- Has engaged in high-risk self-harm (e.g., cutting, burning, asphyxiation) in the 2 months prior to beginning treatment
- Has completed Cognitive Processing Therapy or another active PTSD treatment (i.e., prolonged exposure) in the past year
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Group Written Exposure TherapyGroup Extended Written Exposure Therapy (GE-WET) is a time-limited cognitive behavioural therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) aimed at allowing patients to process their traumatic experiences in a safe environment. GE-WET will consist of 10 weekly group sessions. Participants will be asked to complete weekly in-session written exposures where they will recount their traumatic experience. The written exposure will be followed by a guided discussion about the experience of writing the exposure. There is no homework assigned between sessions. However, group members will be asked to refrain from avoiding thinking about the trauma between sessions. | Behavioural | Group Extended Written Exposure Therapy |
Primary outcome
PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
Time frame: From pre-treatment (1 week before the start of group) to one-month follow-up at about 4 months
7 secondary outcomes
Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory
Time frame: From pre-treatment (1 week before the start of group) to one-month follow-up at about 4 months
Borderline Symptom List- Short Version (BSL-23)
Time frame: From pre-treatment (1 week before the start of group) to one-month follow-up at about 4 months
Borderline Symptom List Behaviour Supplement
Time frame: From pre-treatment (1 week before the start of group) to one-month follow-up at about 4 months
Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20)
Time frame: From pre-treatment (1 week before the start of group) to one-month follow-up at about 4 months
Experience of Shame Scale (ESS)
Time frame: From pre-treatment (1 week before the start of group) to one-month follow-up at about 4 months
Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)
Time frame: From pre-treatment (1 week before the start of group) to one-month follow-up at about 4 months
Group Cohesion Scale - Revised (GCS-R)
Time frame: Mid treatment (at about 5 weeks after start of group) and post treatment (at about 10 weeks)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 May 2026.
- BackgroundTreadwell, T., Lavertue, N., Kumar, V. K., & Veeraraghavan, V. (2001). The Group Cohesion Scale-Revised: Reliability and validity. International Journal of Action Methods: Psychodrama, Skill Training, and Role Playing, 54(1), 3-12.
- BackgroundGratz, K. L., & Roemer, L. (2004). Multidimensional assessment of emotion regulation and dysregulation: Development, factor structure, and initial validation of the difficulties in emotion regulation scale. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 26, 41-54.
- Background: PubMed 11931676Andrews B, Qian M, Valentine JD. Predicting depressive symptoms with a new measure of shame: The Experience of Shame Scale. Br J Clin Psychol. 2002 Mar;41(Pt 1):29-42. doi: 10.1348/014466502163778.
- Background: PubMed 8126688Bagby RM, Taylor GJ, Parker JD. The Twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale--II. Convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity. J Psychosom Res. 1994 Jan;38(1):33-40. doi: 10.1016/0022-3999(94)90006-x.
- Background: PubMed 19023232Bohus M, Kleindienst N, Limberger MF, Stieglitz RD, Domsalla M, Chapman AL, Steil R, Philipsen A, Wolf M. The short version of the Borderline Symptom List (BSL-23): development and initial data on psychometric properties. Psychopathology. 2009;42(1):32-9. doi: 10.1159/000173701. Epub 2008 Nov 20.
- BackgroundFoa, E.B., Ehlers, A., Clark, D.M., Tolin, D.F., & Orsillo, S.M. (1999). The Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI): Development and validation. Psychological Assessment, 11(3), 303-314.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Group Written Exposure Therapy in people with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), run by St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton at 1 site in Canada.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) (time frame: From pre-treatment (1 week before the start of group) to one-month follow-up at about 4 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07576387, which also lists 6 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 May 2026.