BU professor recognized for excellence in the field of traumatic stress studies

Denise M. Sloan, PhD, professor of psychiatry at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and Senior Clinician Investigator, Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, has received the Robert Laufer, PhD Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. The award is given to an individual or group who has made an outstanding contribution to research in the field of traumatic stress. Sloan is the fifth faculty member from the school and the Center to receive this award.

An expert on psychosocial interventions for traumatic stress disorders with a specific interest in efficient and effective treatment approaches for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Sloan has worked on the development of novel psychotherapeutic approaches to the treatment of PTSD that produced strong scientific evidence across many forms of traumatic life events including combat, sexual trauma and intimate partner violence. She has conducted a series of studies that lead to the development of written exposure therapy, a five session psychosocial intervention, and has conducted multiple large-scale treatment studies examining the efficacy and effectiveness of the treatment.

Sloan obtained her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Case Western Reserve University. She has published more than 150 scientific articles, written or co-edited several books including the “Handbook of Traumatic Stress Disorders.” She is the past editor of Behavior Therapy and current editor of Journal of Traumatic Stress.

In addition to this honor, Sloan has received awards from the American Psychological Association for Outstanding Contributions to Clinical Psychology. She has received funding for her research from several entities, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Institute for Mental Health and the Department of Defense.

Robert S. Laufer, PhD, was a sociologist who made early and important contributions to the field of traumatic stress and PTSD through his research on the effects of war experiences on Vietnam combat veterans. The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies is dedicated to sharing information about the effects of trauma and the discovery and dissemination of knowledge about policy, program and service initiatives that seek to reduce traumatic stressors and their immediate and long-term consequences.