FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, October 2, 2025
Researchers from Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine have been internationally recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to the treatment of war-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This prestigious acknowledgment came from the Trauma Recovery Center at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a center established in direct response to the traumatic aftermath of the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel. The collaboration epitomizes the confluence of scientific innovation and humanitarian need, bridging continents and cultures through a shared commitment to advancing mental health care for trauma survivors.
Denise M. Sloan, PhD, a distinguished professor of psychiatry at Boston University and senior psychologist clinician investigator at the National Center for PTSD housed within the VA Boston Healthcare System, alongside Brian P. Marx, PhD, professor of psychiatry and deputy director at the same VA center, have played instrumental roles in supporting Israeli clinicians. Their expertise centers on a therapeutic modality they themselves innovated—Written Exposure Therapy (WET)—a brief yet robust intervention designed specifically to address the complex symptomatology associated with PTSD. Their active involvement encompasses not only research but direct knowledge transfer through rigorous training programs at the Trauma Recovery Center.
WET represents a paradigm shift in the psychosocial treatment of PTSD, addressing the core mechanism that often undermines traditional recovery: avoidance. PTSD patients frequently evade trauma-related memories and stimuli, an instinctual behavior that paradoxically perpetuates distress and functional impairment over time. WET strategically confronts this avoidance by guiding individuals to articulate detailed written narratives of their traumatic experiences. This repetitive and controlled exposure fosters habituation to trauma cues, facilitating the desensitization process and diminishing the intensity of emotional responses traditionally associated with such memories.
Clinically, the biological correlates of PTSD—such as tachycardia, hyperarousal, and sweating—are attenuated through WET’s structured approach, as patients progressively engage with their trauma narrative without the debilitating blockade of avoidance. Dr. Sloan explicates that this exposure requires tolerance of negative affect, which paradoxically breeds resilience. Dr. Marx further emphasizes that the therapeutic alliance established during reflective discussions of writing sessions catalyzes cognitive restructuring, aiding patients in reframing the personal significance and contextual understanding of the trauma. This dual mechanism of emotional and cognitive processing underpins WET’s efficacy.
Pioneering research led by Sloan and Marx has firmly established WET as an empirically supported treatment. Their efforts encompass extensive randomized control trials and large-scale effectiveness studies across diverse trauma populations, including combat veterans, sexual assault survivors, and individuals affected by intimate partner violence. The brevity of the intervention—comprising only five sessions—enhances scalability and acceptability, making it particularly suited for contexts with limited mental health resources, such as post-crisis Israel.
Denise Sloan’s academic pedigree includes a clinical psychology doctorate from Case Western Reserve University. Her prolific scholarly output exceeds 150 peer-reviewed publications and several authoritative texts, including co-editing the seminal “Handbook of Traumatic Stress Disorders.” Her editorial tenure with prominent journals like Behavior Therapy and the Journal of Traumatic Stress underscores her influence and dedication to advancing clinical science in traumatic stress.
Brian Marx’s expertise lies in the intersection of behavior therapy and PTSD symptomatology, with a particular focus on memory processes and functional impairment linked to trauma exposure. His roles on multiple editorial boards and as a grant reviewer for key institutions—including the National Institute of Mental Health and the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs—reflect a distinguished career dedicated to both research excellence and translational impact. Funding from federal agencies currently supports his ongoing investigations into novel, efficient treatment modalities for PTSD.
The formation of the Trauma Recovery Center at Hebrew University of Jerusalem in the immediate aftermath of the October 7, 2023 attacks reflects a strategic, institutional response to national psychological trauma on an unprecedented scale. The center’s mission is to embed evidence-based trauma treatments into Israel’s public healthcare framework, ensuring accessibility and sustainability. By collaborating with international experts like Sloan and Marx, the center leverages cutting-edge science to address collective trauma and foster societal resilience.
From a public health perspective, the partnership illustrates a model for rapid integration of research-driven interventions in crisis settings, balancing clinical rigor with cultural adaptability. WET’s structured yet flexible approach allows it to be tailored to diverse populations, facilitating widespread implementation. It serves as a beacon of hope and pragmatic therapy for countless survivors navigating the long-term psychological consequences of mass trauma.
In summary, the recognition of Boston University researchers by the Trauma Recovery Center not only honors individual scholarship but highlights the vital importance of international scientific cooperation in trauma care. The adoption of Written Exposure Therapy in Israel epitomizes the practical translation of theoretical advances into lifesaving practice, underscoring the transformative potential of targeted, evidence-based mental health interventions in post-conflict recovery.
Subject of Research: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatment development and clinical application
Article Title: Researchers Honored by the Trauma Recovery Center at Hebrew University of Jerusalem
News Publication Date: October 2, 2025
Keywords: Health and medicine, posttraumatic stress disorder, trauma treatment, Written Exposure Therapy, PTSD therapy, trauma recovery, behavioral therapy, clinical psychology, war-related trauma, mental health intervention, psychosocial treatment, evidence-based therapy
