Learn to Deliver the COPE Treatment
COPE is an evidenced-based, trauma-focused therapy for the treatment of co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders (SUD). COPE is an integrated treatment that combines prolonged exposure techniques for PTSD with cognitive behavioral techniques for SUD.
The primary goals of the COPE treatment are to:
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Provide psychoeducation about PTSD, substance use disorders, and their interconnection
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Reduce PTSD symptoms
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Decrease substance use
To support the treatment process, a COPE Therapist Guide and a COPE Patient Workbook are available to guide you and your patients step-by-step through the treatment. The COPE manuals can be purchased from Amazon.com or Oxford University Press.
COPE was designated as a first-line treatment in the 2025 APA Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for the Treatment of PTSD.
Click here to learn more about how to get trained in COPE.
About COPE
Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders Using Prolonged Exposure (COPE)
COPE Training Testimonials
Hear what professionals say about the trainings
Stephanie Peluso-Abbott, MSW
"As a PTSD trauma-focused therapist, I have always felt the need to address substance use as it relates to avoidance symptoms of PTSD. I was excited to have the opportunity to attend the COPE training to learn an evidence-based approach to dealing with both issues simultaneously. The trainers are extremely knowledgeable and create a welcoming atmosphere for learning. Excellent training!"
Justin Baker, PhD
"Comorbid PTSD and Substance Use Disorders are difficult to treat. The COPE training provided me with the needed skill and understanding to tackle this difficult population and bring much needed relief to those suffering."
Angela Taylor, LCSW
"The training on COPE was incredibly helpful. I have gained more knowledge and confidence about how to implement interventions for PTSD and co-occurring substance use disorders. I recommend this training to anyone looking to incorporate integrated treatment into their practice."
Anna Birks, PsyD
"I have been using PE with veterans for nearly 15 years, however I was always very wary of how to address substance use disorders during treatment. The COPE training addressed my hesitation and really helped me to feel confident with how to assess, monitor and address this common clinical concern. I am so glad I completed the training."
COPE Trainings
We offer a range of flexible options for COPE training and support services to meet your needs, including live webinars via Zoom and on-site or virtual trainings for groups, clinics or agencies.
Foundational COPE trainings are designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the treatment model and components. To further support clinicians, we offer post-training consultation designed to build confidence, refine skills, and address any questions that may arise as providers implement COPE. Both individual and group consultation options are available to ensure tailored support following COPE training.
The training workshops and consultations services work together to provide clinicians with the resources, tools and support needed to effectively use COPE in their practice. See below for more information on our training and consultation services.
Please note, if you are seeking intensive training and certification in Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy for PTSD, see the official PE therapy training program provided by Dr. Edna Foa, the developer of PE, and colleagues at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.
Register early and save 10% off for a limited time only using the promo code EARLYBIRD10 at checkout (for the October training). Students can get 15% off with STUDENT15. Don't miss out!
Starts Jul 7
550 US dollarsStarts Jul 18
300 US dollarsStarts Oct 9
550 US dollars- Zoom
One on one consultation following COPE training to provide tailored support and guidance
Starts Jul 15
2,000 US dollars - Zoom
Group consultation following COPE training to provide tailored support and guidance
Starts Jul 15
1,200 US dollars - Zoom
One on one consultation following COPE training to provide tailored support and guidance
Starts Oct 17
2,000 US dollars - Zoom
Group consultation following COPE training to provide tailored support and guidance
Starts Oct 17
1,200 US dollars
We also offer on-site trainings where our COPE expert trainers come to your location to provide a private training for your group, clinic or agency. The cost is typically $3,000 per day for 2-3 day trainings, plus travel expenses. We can typically accommodate up to around 15 clinicians. Please email us at COPEforPTSDSUD@gmail.com to discuss your specific training needs.
Research on COPE
COPE has been extensively evaluated over the past two decades through rigorous clinical trials and applied in various clinical settings worldwide. The COPE treatment is supported by empirical evidence demonstrating its ability to help individuals with PTSD and SUD experience significant healing and improvement in their lives. Individuals with co-occurring PTSD and SUD often have a history of multiple traumatic events (on average, patients in clinical trials of COPE have experienced 6-8 different types of traumas) and may use multiple substances, making COPE’s integrated approach particularly beneficial. Based on the scientific evidence, APA designated COPE a first-line treatment for PTSD and SUD in the 2025 Clinical Practice Guideline.
To learn more about empirical research supporting the COPE treatment, please click the button below.
COPE Trainers
Our COPE trainers are highly qualified clinician-scientists, consisting of COPE treatment developers, licensed psychologists, and highly experienced COPE providers and supervisors. In addition, our trainers are expert national and international educators, recognized for their ability to effectively deliver training on COPE methods across various settings.
Sudie E. Back, PhD
Dr. Back is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina, a licensed Clinical Psychologist, and a Staff Psychologist at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System. She is a leading expert in trauma-focused integrated treatment of PTSD and co-occurring substance use disorders, with over 25 years of clinical and research experience. She is a developer of the COPE treatment and has extensive experience training providers from diverse training backgrounds and in diverse clinical settings across the U.S. and internationally in the implementation of COPE.
Tanya C. Saraiya, PhD
Dr. Saraiya is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at MUSC, a licensed Clinical Psychologist, and an affiliate faculty member at Rutgers University. Across her many roles as a researcher, clinician, and teacher, she has been fortunate to help individuals heal from traumatic stress underlying substance use and other conditions using the COPE intervention. She has also led national and international trainings on COPE. She is passionate about culturally attuned mental health care that attends to minoritized communities and increasing the dissemination of trauma-focused therapies.
Therese Killeen, PhD, APN
Dr. Killeen is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina with over 30 years of experience in the field of substance use and mental health disorders, with a specific focus on trauma and PTSD. She has extensive experience training and supervising clinicians in evidence-based psychotherapies, including COPE, at the local, national, and international level. Dr. Killeen is a co-author of the COPE therapy manuals.
Delisa G. Brown, PhD
Dr. Brown is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina and a licensed Counseling Psychologist. Her research examines health disparities in mental health, including trauma/PTSD and substance use, as well as race-related stress and culturally tailored interventions. She has extensive clinical experience delivering COPE and other evidence-based treatments for substance use and trauma.
Elizabeth Santa Ana, PhD
Dr. Santa Ana is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Amber M. Jarnecke, PhD
Dr. Jarnecke is licensed Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Jarnecke has substantial expertise in the treatment of substance use and traumatic stress disorders as well as other behavioral and mental health concerns and considerable experience delivering the COPE intervention. She has trained, supervised, and provided consultation on best practices in mental health care and evidence-based treatments to numerous clinicians from diverse backgrounds and professional disciplines.
COPE Manuals
We request that you obtain the COPE manuals (Therapist Guide and Patient Workbook) prior to attending the training. The COPE manuals are available for purchase on Amazon.com and Oxford University Press in paperback and e-book format. You may also be able to access the manuals for free via your institution or workplace. You can download the patient workbook handouts for free here at Oxford University Press.
The COPE therapy manual includes 12 individual, 90-minute sessions, typically delivered once or twice per week. Clinicians have the flexibility to extend treatment by adding extra sessions to review, repeat, or explore specific topics in greater depth. Clinical trials of COPE have demonstrated positive outcomes with both the standard 12-session protocol and a flexible approach of up to 16 sessions. In some cases, patients achieve their treatment goals in fewer than 12 sessions, although this is less common. We encourage you to work closely with your patients and tailor the treatment to meet their individual needs.
