United States Department of Veterans Affairs
NATIONAL CENTER for PTSD

CAPS Training Information

 

CAPS Training Information

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In This Section — Assessment

Assessments

The Clinician Administered PTSD Scale, or CAPS, is the "gold standard" for PTSD assessment and diagnosis for both military veteran and civilian trauma survivors. There are several different training tools available for learning to administer a CAPS or CAPS-CA.

  • CAPS and CAPS-CA Technical Manuals
  • CAPS and CAPS-CA CD-ROM

Also see the following articles for information:

Keane & Davidson, (2001). Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale: A review of the first ten years of research. Depression and Anxiety Vol, 13(3), 132-156. (PDF)

Weathers, Ruscio & Keane, (1999). Psychometric properties of nine scoring rules for the Clinician-Administered Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Scale. Psychological Assessment, 11(2), 124-133. (PDF)

CAPS and CAPS-CA Technical Manuals

CAPS and CAPS-CA Manuals (version for children & adolescents) are available from:
Western Psychological Services (WPS). http://www.wpspublish.com*

Search their online catalogue for a list of products available for the CAPS and CAPS-CA. There is an interview booklet, interview guide, and technical manual as well as a continuing education (CE) questionnaire and evaluation form.

CAPS Training CD-ROM Information

Independent Study materials are designed to teach a set of essential competences for administering the CAPS. It is assumed that users will possess basic knowledge about trauma and its effects. No attempt is made to provide systematic instruction about PTSD in this training material.

It is also assumed that clinicians will be trained in the general skills required to conduct interviews (e.g., skills for communicating empathy or establishing rapport) as well as those important in managing the intense emotions that may be experienced by those suffering with PTSD.

Purchase CD-ROM Information:

The CAPS Training CD-ROM is $50 (for production and distribution) and can be ordered from NTIS National Technical Information Service

Measure availability: Information on measures is available to everyone. However, the assessment tools themselves can only be distributed to qualified mental health professionals and researchers. We maintain measures developed by affiliated staff of the National Center for PTSD.


CAPS Training

VA Logo VA Providers: Learn how to administer the CAPS online.

Date Created: See last Reviewed/Updated Date below.