10th Annual San Antonio Combat PTSD Conference
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Registration is now open for the 10th Annual San Antonio Combat PTSD Conference! This one-of-a-kind event will be held in person October 20-21, 2025, at The Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.
Presented by the STRONG STAR Consortium and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, the conference focuses on emerging outcomes and ongoing scientific research on the assessment and treatment of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbid conditions in military service members and veterans.
This year’s program features an exciting agenda, including compelling keynotes. International expert, Dr. Barbara Rothbaum, will speak on the promise of psychedelic-assisted therapy for the treatment of PTSD. Our “Profiles in Resilience” speaker, Benjamin Hall, is a news correspondent and New York Times bestselling author, who was critically injured while reporting the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and recovered at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX. He will focus his address on factors that contributed to his resolve in overcoming the psychological aftermath of trauma. His talk will be followed by a unique panel that consists of his orthopedic surgeon, Joseph Alderete, MD, and other clinicians that encouraged his inherent resilience and posttraumatic optimism.
Other highlights will include scientific experts presenting on strategies to optimize PTSD treatment outcomes by involving romantic partners and family members, non-medication treatments for posttraumatic headache, and how to address trauma-related shame and guilt. Self-compassion, moral injury, and spirituality will also be discussed in the context of evidence-based treatments. A reception and poster session will be held the evening of the first day.
Continuing education credits are available.
Use the link below (or click or copy and paste into browser), or the QR code below to register. Attendance is limited to 500 so do not delay!
Conference QR Code
San Antonio Combat PTSD Conference Details:
Presented by The STRONG STAR Consortium and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, the San Antonio Combat PTSD Conference is the only major scientific gathering of its type. The conference focuses on emerging outcomes and ongoing research on the assessment and treatment of combat-related PTSD and comorbid conditions in military service members and veterans.
The Conference Planning Team
Conference Agenda
Major Speakers
Advancing the Science of Military Psychological Health: Update on STRONG STAR Initiatives
Alan Peterson, PhD, ABPP (Lt Col, USAF-Ret.), Director, STRONG STAR Consortium; Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; Professor of Psychology, The University of Texas at San Antonio
“Profiles in Resilience” Presentation and Book Signing
Benjamin Hall, FOX News correspondent. Hall was critically wounded by a missile attack while reporting the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and recovered at Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio Fort Sam Houston. Hall will speak alongside his orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Joseph Alderete, to discuss key psychological factors that enhanced his resilience and facilitated the recovery process after his traumatic injury. He published two books that share his story of survival and perseverance, the latter titled, Resolute: How We Humans Keep Finding Ways to Beat the Toughest Odds, which will be available for signing after his talk.
Keynote Address: Exploring the Potential of Psychedelics to Improve PTSD Treatment Outcomes
Barbara Rothbaum, PhD, ABPP, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Associate Vice Chair of Clinical Research, Emory University School of Medicine; Executive Director, Emory Healthcare Veterans Program
Treatment for Trauma-Related Shame and Guilt
Sonya Norman, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry, University of California School of Medicine; Director, PTSD Consultation Program, National Center for PTSD
Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy: Couples Treatment for PTSD
Steffany Fredman, PhD, Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies and Psychology, and Edna Bennett Faculty Fellow in Prevention Research, The Pennsylvania State University
The Use of Socratic Questioning: Practical Guidelines for Clinicians
Stefanie LoSavio, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; Director of Research & Innovation, STRONG STAR Training Initiative
Strategies and Techniques to Address Institutional Betrayal
Vanessa Jacoby, PhD, ABPP, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; Program Director, Strong Families Support and Prevention Program
Self-Compassion and Moral Injury
Shannon Forkus, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Policy & Community Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health