River Post-Traumatic Stress Services provides outpatient behavioral health services for active duty military personnel, stationed at Fort Drum, suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress(PTS) . River Post-Traumatic Stress Services provides continuity of care for soldiers transitioning from an inpatient stay. With no other program like this in the country, River Hospital accepted the challenge and responsibility of offering outpatient mental health services designed specifically for active duty military personnel experiencing effects of Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) and difficulties related to stressful events experienced at pre-deployment, in-theater, post-deployment, or non-combat related incidences.

The Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) serves as an intensive intervention option for behavioral health services locally to reduce potential admissions of service members to an inpatient level of care. This program focuses on building coping skills and supports within the community. This program keeps our military members close to home while they are healing and learning to cope, providing education and support to soldiers who have been impacted by the horrors of combat, sexual assault (and other non-combat related traumatic experiences). Through the establishment of this specialized program, the facility had the professional staff necessary to make behavioral health services available to civilian members of the surrounding communities.

The program serves active duty military personnel five hours a day, five days per week, Monday through Friday. This program is broken down in to two different tracks:

• Combat-related Post Traumatic Stress
• Non-combat related Post Traumatic Stress

The primary treatment option for this program is group therapy. In addition to group participation, each service member also receives individual therapy with an assigned therapist and medication management with an assigned prescriber.

Clinicians specialize in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).

Call (315) 482-1277 for more information. 

Symptoms of traumatic stress may include:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Trouble concentrating
• Irritability
• Self-destructive or impulsive behaviors
• Feeling constantly on guard
• Emotional detachment
• Unwanted or intrusive thoughts

Over time, the effects of trauma can be disruptive to physical and mental health, relationships, families, careers and other factors important to healing.

Negative effects of traumatic stress include:

• Substance abuse/misuse
• Marital/family distress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trouble making decisions
• Job performance distress

You are not alone. At River Post-Traumatic Stress Services (RPTSS) Program, our treatment team is comprised of specialized trauma therapists.  Our team is trained and experienced in the use of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).  CPT is an evidence based protocol approved by the Department of Defense for effective treatment of PTSD and related disorders. Our team is also trained in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD).  CISD is designed to help those in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic experience to process the event and provide supportive services.

We provide services in a private, non-judgmental, safe environment to facilitate healing. We practice holistic treatment which honors and respects individuals in the context of their overall health, cultural identity, relationships, careers and other factors important to healing.

Services include:

• Individual therapy in an outpatient setting, by appointment
• CPT Skill Refresher groups for those who have completed CPT Protocol

How do I access services?

For those receiving VA benefits, a referral from the VA is required. For all others, a referral is recommended but not required.

Payment options:

RPTSS accepts a wide variety of insurance plans. Financial assistance is also available. No one should let affordability prevent them from getting the care they need.

Please contact River Post-Traumatic Stress Services Program at 315.482.1277 for an appointment or more information.