COOS BAY — The Heather Hill Therapy Center in Coos Bay wants local residents living with post-traumatic stress disorder to become part of a study. The project is researching a new therapy technique that is taking some PTSD treatment online.

Researchers want to find out if there are benefits of adding an online workbook focusing on helping patients practice coping with emotions stemming from PTSD in comparison to traditional therapy sessions. The Heather Hills is teaming with Seattle-based Talaria to offer trials in the Bay Area. Talaria is a small research firm established in 1994. The company develops online educational materials and interventions for health care providers.

Researchers aren’t just seeking war veterans suffering from PTSD.

The disorder can have multiple triggers including abuse, domestic violence, experiencing a life-threatening illness or accident, being assaulted or witnessing a violent attack, being raped or sexually abused or unexpected loss of a loved one. Rescue workers, police officers and firefighters also can develop work-related PTSD. People who suffer from PTSD can experience symptoms such as hallucinations, flashbacks or reliving traumatic events, nightmares, emotional outbursts or emotional numbness, self-destructive behavior, detachment and depression.

Although Talaria Senior Research Scientist Dr. Kelly Carpenter couldn’t provide details before the conclusion of the study, the online portion of the treatment focuses on cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, such as learning relaxation methods and how manage emotions to deal with  symptoms. Carpenter said the online workbook, called “Strategic Personal Resource for Overcoming and Understanding Trauma,” will provide an opportunity for patients to practice coping skills in the real world, outside of therapy sessions.

“It’s like homework between sessions,” she said Thursday. “People learn skills and practice in real life.”

This is the first study looking into adding online tools to PTSD treatment. Research started in Seattle in February 2007, but Carpenter said clients in rural areas may provide more insight into the effectiveness of combining face-to-face therapy with online practice.

Talaria and Heather Hills had collaborated on projects previously, so Carpenter enlisted the center to expand the study to the South Coast. Patient recruiting started in the Bay Area in February and will continue until February of 2009. Talaria wants to have 100 people with PTSD participate in the study. About 10 people have joined the 12-week study at Heather Hills since recruitment began.

Heather Hills founder and psychotherapist Elizabeth Sunzeri said working on the study has been both exciting and challenging.

“It’s really making a big difference,” she said.

She said she believes that having patients use the workbook while in therapy has made treatment more practical. Patients get to learn about and practice coping strategies discussed in weekly sessions.

So far, the response of patients has been positive, Carpenter said. Participants can help make the treatment even more effective through feedback and suggestions for improvements.

“These are the first people who have used it for treatment,” Carpenter said. “I’m sure they will have lots of ideas about how to make it better.”