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Research & Evidence

Clinical trials, case studies, and meta-analyses supporting the RTM Protocol™.
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70–96%

Symptom Remission

14

Peer-Reviewed Papers

5

Clinical Trials

The Research and Recognition (R&R) Project brings together international academics, researchers, and therapists to examine the current evidence of the clinical efficacy of the RTM Protocol™ and assess how effective it can be in facilitating change, enrichment, and symptom relief. Dr. Frank Bourke and his colleagues provide a critical appraisal of evidence-based research to illustrate the benefits of the RTM Protocol™ and identify the need for an increase in randomized controlled trials.

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Walter Reed Study

Dr. Michael Roy and team at Walter Reed recommended RTM as a first-line PTSD therapy for military service members — one of the strongest endorsements in military medicine.

Clinical Trials

Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories, The RTM Protocol™: Albuquerque trainee results

95% PTSD remission

Gray, R. M.; Davison, A., and Bourke, F. (2021, August 25). PsyArxiv. DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/PFQG4.

Between 2018 and 2020, 18 licensed mental health professionals were certified in the RTM Protocol™. Of 90 RTM Protocol™-eligible clients, 85 completed treatment. Pre-/post-PSS-I-5 or PCL-5 results found that 80 (95%) scored below minimal diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

An Open-Label, Randomized Controlled Trial of the RTM Protocol™ in Military Women

96% remission at 1-year follow-up
Gray, R. M., Budden-Potts, D., Schwall, R. J., & Bourke, F. F. (2020). Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/tra0000986.
A 96% PTSD remission rate was obtained for the 30 women veterans on the PCL-M and PSS-I at two weeks and all subsequent measures to one-year follow-ups.

Evaluation of the RTM Protocol™ for the treatment of PTSD: a randomized, wait-list-controlled trial

90% PTSD-free at 12 months
Tylee, D. S., Gray, R., Glatt, S. J., & Bourke, F. (2017). Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health, 3(1), 21-33. doi: 10.3138/jmvfh.4120.

This waitlist-designed RCT measured 90% of the 30 male veterans PTSD diagnosis-free at their two-week, six-week, and twelve-month follow-ups. The Wait List Design was ethically necessitated because participants were at high suicide risk, and often homeless.

Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories for PTSD: A randomized controlled trial of 74 male veterans

90%+ below diagnostic threshold
Gray, R., Budden-Potts, D., & Bourke, F. (2017). Psychotherapy Research. DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2017.1408973.
Over 90% of the male veterans completing treatment scored below the diagnostic threshold on the PCL-M and PSS-I. About half of those treated were followed for twelve months and retained freedom from PTSD intrusive symptoms and diagnosis.

Remediation of intrusive symptoms of PTSD in fewer than five sessions: a 30-person pre-pilot study

96% remission in <5 sessions
Gray, R., & Bourke, F. (2015). Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health, 1(2), 85-92. doi:10.3138/jmvfh.3119.
This pilot study treated 30 veterans suffering from severe PTSD and measured their PTSD remission rate post-treatment at 96% (25 of 26), along with alleviating PTSD intrusive symptoms in under five sessions.

Case Studies

The Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) Protocol for PTSD: A Case Study

Gray, R., Budden-Potts, D., & Bourke, F. (2017). Journal of Experiential Psychotherapy, vol. 20(4): 47-61.

This case study describes Carl, a Vietnam veteran diagnosed with PTSD who completed three 120-minute sessions. Post-treatment measures found significant reductions in PTSD symptoms maintained at 2, 6, 26, and 52 weeks post-treatment. Carl experienced PTSD intrusive symptoms for more than 40 years. He is now symptom-free.

Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) for PTSD — a case series

Gray, R., & Teall, B. (2016). Journal of Experiential Psychology, 19(4):59-69.
Four individuals previously diagnosed with PTSD completed five 90-minute sessions of treatment. In the larger study, 96% (25/26) of treated clients no longer met diagnostic criteria for PTSD at the end of treatment, with gains maintained at six and 26 weeks post-treatment.

Reviews & Meta-Analyses

Consolidation/reconsolidation therapies for the prevention and treatment of PTSD: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Astill Wright, L., Horstmann, L., Holmes, E. A., & Bisson, J. I. (2021). Translational Psychiatry, 11(1), 453. doi:10.1038/s41398-021-01570-w.

This Cochrane systematic review assessed 25 RCTs. Only three protocols were superior to control — the RTM Protocol™ was one of only three found effective for treatment of PTSD symptoms.

Active duty and ex-serving military personnel with PTSD treated with psychological therapies: systematic review and meta-analysis

Kitchiner, N.J., Lewis, C., Roberts, N. P., & Bisson, J. I. (2019). European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 10:1, 1684226.
This meta-analysis found the RTM Protocol™ to be one of only two treatments examined to meet their efficacy criterion for consideration as effective for treating military PTSD.

Psychotherapy for Military-Related PTSD: A Review of Randomized Clinical Trials

Steenkamp, M. M., Litz, B. T., Hoge, C. W., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). JAMA, 314(5), 489-500.
This review stated the need for improvement in existing PTSD treatments, noting that first-line trauma-focused interventions only achieve 35%–45% of clients no longer testing with PTSD — highlighting the need for novel evidence-based treatments like RTM.

Reviews & Meta-Analyses

RTM Protocol™
83%
EMDR
50%
CBT
38%
Average remission rates across published studies.

Ongoing & Upcoming Research

  • MIT / MGH / Harvard Neuroimaging Study

Examining brain mechanisms underlying RTM’s effectiveness.

  • Ukraine Deployment
Active deployment supporting civilians and military affected by conflict.

What People Are Saying

“After 15 years using traditional approaches, RTM gave me a tool that consistently delivers results. My clients are getting better in weeks, not years.”

Michael R.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
“The certification process was rigorous but supportive. I felt confident treating my first RTM client, and the supervision was invaluable.”

Jennifer K.

Licensed Professional Counselor
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