Charting a Path to Recovery: A Short History of Understanding and Treating PTSD

BY Ken Harbert and Tom Hall, Chair

In the 1970s, a group of pioneering scholars, clinicians, veterans, and Veterans Service Organizations—including Vietnam Veterans of America—began advancing the understanding and treatment of what would become known as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. These early efforts laid the groundwork for research, publication, and therapy models designed to address the psychological wounds experienced by Vietnam War veterans.

One of the earliest voices was the late psychiatrist, Dr. Chaim Shatan, who in 1972 wrote an article for The New York Times introducing the term “Post-Vietnam Syndrome.” He later organized rap groups for veterans to share their emotional trauma and became a leading advocate for the recognition of PTSD as a legitimate medical condition.

Around the same time, John Wilson published his doctoral thesis, “The Forgotten Warrior,” which identified recurring symptoms among Vietnam War veterans—such as flashbacks, hypervigilance, and emotional numbing—that had yet to be formally diagnosed.

In 1977, supported by the Disabled American Veterans, Wilson launched the Forgotten Warrior Project, interviewing more than 400 veterans and helping develop the first structured inpatient treatment programs for PTSD. He remained a dedicated scholar of trauma for more than three decades, until his death in 2016.

Vietnam War veteran and clinical psychologist Charles Figley—a recipient of the VVA Excellence in the Sciences Award in 2018—played a central role in shaping the field of trauma studies. Alongside John Wilson, he helped establish traumatology as a distinct discipline. Together, they founded the Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, which later became the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, an organization that continues to lead research in the field.

Henri Huet/AP Photo

Psychiatric social worker Sarah Haley, who worked at the Boston VA, was among the first to systematically document cases of combat trauma in Vietnam War veterans. Her clinical advocacy was pivotal in recognizing PTSD symptoms in trauma survivors.

Ray Scurfield, a Vietnam War veteran with a doctorate in social work, was instrumental in pioneering readjustment counseling through the VA Vet Center Program. He championed the psychological rehabilitation approaches first developed through the Forgotten Warrior framework and continued his work in Vet Centers for many years. VVA was also instrumental in saving the Vet Centers from proposed steep budget reductions in the early eighties.

Another Vietnam War veteran and social worker, Jack Smith, served on the American Psychiatric Associations’ DSM-III PTSD subcommittee. Bringing his own war experiences to the table, Smith was a strong advocate for including PTSD as a diagnosable condition. His contributions were vital in pushing the group to understand and validate the lived experiences of veterans. Thanks to the advocacy of Smith, Shatan, Wilson, Williams, and others, PTSD was officially added to the DSM-III in 1980 under the category of anxiety disorders.

Since its founding in 1978, Vietnam Veterans of America has been committed to its founding principle: “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.” This principle has shaped the organization’s work, especially in advancing PTSD therapy for veterans.

In 1979, VVA sponsored a twelve-week systemic group therapy program for veterans living with chronic PTSD. Designed by Jeff Jay, a clinical psychologist, and Ken Harbert, a psychiatric and counseling expert, the program combined therapeutic and educational elements.

The group therapy initiative created a safe space for veterans and significant others to process their wartime experiences and the emotional aftermath that followed. Participants addressed feelings of isolation, distrust, anger, pain, and trauma. The program fostered a sense of community and mutual validation, significantly reducing social isolation.

Mark Zdechlik/AP Photo

Veterans learned new coping skills, shared challenges, and developed strategies together. Importantly, the program emphasized wide-ranging dialogue, in which all voices were heard and respected. It improved communication, reframed trauma narratives, promoted resilience, and encouraged problem-solving for couples and families. This transformative model continued throughout the 1980s.

The efforts of these individuals and programs fundamentally reshaped how clinicians and institutions understand and treat traumatic stress. Their legacy continues to influence today’s ongoing advancements in the care of veterans and civilians experiencing PTSD.

Standing on the shoulders of many courageous and persistent advocates responsible for establishing clarity for effective treatment of PTSD, the VVA PTSD/SA Committee will continue advocating for the improvement of existing programs and emerging therapies to ensure no one is left behind.

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