A pilot randomized controlled trial with paroxetine for subthreshold PTSD in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom era veterans

Professor Strauman's research focuses on the psychological and neurobiological processes that enable self-regulation, conceptualized in terms of a cognitive/motivational perspective, as well as the relation between self-regulation and affect. Particular areas of emphasis include: (1) conceptualizing self-regulation in terms of brain/behavior motivational systems; (2) the role of self-regulatory cognitive processes in vulnerability to depression and other disorders; (3) the impact of treatments for depression, such as psychotherapy and medication, on self-regulatory function and dysfunction in depression; (4) how normative and non-normative socialization patterns influence the development of self-regulatory systems; (5) the contributory roles of self-regulation, affect, and psychopathology in determining immunologically-mediated susceptibility to illness; (6) development of novel multi-component treatments for depression targeting self-regulatory dysfunction; (7) utilization of brain imaging techniques to test hypotheses concerning self-regulation, including the nature and function of hypothetical regulatory systems and characterizing the breakdowns in self-regulation that lead to and accompany depression.

Dr. Bradford's clinical and administrative work, research, and teaching is all in the area of mental health services for individuals with serious mental illnesses, particularly psychotic disorders. Since 2012, he has served as the National Director of Intensive Community Psychosocial Rehabilitation for the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Office of Mental Health. In this role, he is responsible for policy development and oversight of over  170 assertive community treatment-based clinical teams serving approximately 15,000 Veterans annually. In 2020, he was the primary author on the first VA national directive on early episode psychosis and currently co-leads this national initiative.  In 2022, he accepted the additional  role as the Director of the Psychotic Disorders Program at the VA National Expert Consultation and Specialized Services (NEXCSS) program. This program provides expert consultation evaluations and cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis to veterans throughout the country.

In his clinical and administrative work at Durham VA Medical Center, he was the founding Division Chief for Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Services from 2014-2022.  In prior years, he was also the founding Director of the Inteprofessional Fellowship for Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Services (2007-2012) and of the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Services (2007-2014).  He continues as a clinical psychiatrist and resident supervisor in the Division.

Dr. Bradford is board certified in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and in Addiction Medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine. He is a 2013 recipient of an Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).