International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies

Name

International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies

Legal name

International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies

Website

https://istss.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1985 that advances research, clinical practice, and policy on traumatic stress for mental health professionals and researchers across 43 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: ISTSS generates revenue primarily through annual membership dues across multiple tiers including regular, early career professional, student, retired, and affiliate memberships. Members receive access to the Journal of Traumatic Stress in electronic format and various membership benefits.
2. Annual Meeting Revenue: The organization hosts an annual meeting that generates revenue through registration fees. The 42nd Annual Meeting is scheduled for September 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.
3. Donations: ISTSS accepts tax-deductible donations as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 31-1129675). Donations support the Travel Awards Program for conference attendees from low- and middle-income countries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

ISTSS is a professional membership society that provides its members and the broader traumatic stress field with access to the peer-reviewed Journal of Traumatic Stress, an annual international meeting, evidence-based clinical assessment tools and treatment guidelines, online learning/webinar programs, and public education resources. Revenue is generated primarily through individual membership dues, annual meeting registration, donations, and publication-related income.

Product overview

ISTSS operates as a membership-based professional organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services for the traumatic stress field. The core offerings include the Journal of Traumatic Stress (published with Wiley), annual meetings/conferences, and clinical resources including adult and child/adolescent trauma assessments. The organization provides public education through briefing papers, the Trauma Blog, and Friday Fast Facts. Members receive access to online learning/webinars, the StressPoints eNewsletter, and treatment guidelines. Global initiatives include affiliate society partnerships, travel awards, and corresponding membership. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors with various committees and offers member discounts on PTSD treatment books.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Journal of Traumatic Stress (JTS): Peer-reviewed academic journal published in partnership with Wiley, covering research on traumatic stress, PTSD, and related mental health conditions.
• StressPoints
• Friday Fast Facts
• Trauma Blog

Products and services

• Memberships (Regular, Early Career, Student, Retired, Associate) Annual and multi-year membership tiers providing individual mental health professionals, researchers, students, and retirees access to the Journal of Traumatic Stress in electronic format, the StressPoints newsletter, member discounts, online learning, and professional networking.
• Journal of Traumatic Stress Peer-reviewed academic journal publishing research on traumatic stress, PTSD, and related mental health topics, published in partnership with Wiley and available in open access and subscription formats to members and institutional subscribers.
• ISTSS Annual Meeting Annual international conference bringing together global researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to advance scientific knowledge on trauma. The 42nd Annual Meeting is scheduled for September 23-26, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.
• Adult Trauma Assessments Collection of standardized clinical assessment tools for evaluating trauma in adults, including the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, and the Moral Injury and Distress Scale, intended for use by clinicians and researchers.
• Child/Adolescent Trauma Assessments Standardized assessment tools designed for evaluating trauma in children and adolescents, including the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for DSM-5 and the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen, for use by clinicians and researchers working with youth populations.
• ISTSS Prevention and Treatment Guidelines Evidence-based clinical guidelines for the prevention and treatment of PTSD and traumatic stress disorders, developed for use by mental health clinicians and policymakers.
• Trauma Treatment Resources Clinical resources including the ISTSS Prevention and Treatment Guidelines, International Practice Guidelines, Vicarious Trauma Toolkit, and treatment materials such as CPT and CBT manuals, intended for clinicians treating trauma-exposed patients.
• Online Learning / Webinar Store Educational platform offering expert presentations, webinars, interviews with innovators, and continuing education materials for trauma professionals seeking accredited professional development.
• ISTSS Briefing Papers Evidence-based briefing papers addressing key trauma topics such as access to treatment for children and youth, interventions for adults in LMICs, global climate change, and trauma in displaced populations, intended for clinicians, policymakers, and the public.
• Find a Trauma Specialist Directory Online directory enabling members and the public to locate qualified trauma specialists and clinicians for referrals and patient access.
• StressPoints Newsletter Monthly eNewsletter providing members with updates on trauma research, society news, and professional development opportunities.
• Friday Fast Facts Brief educational resources covering diverse trauma topics including trauma disclosure, moral injury, racial trauma, substance use, and climate change, intended for clinicians, researchers, and the public.

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012ISTSS initiated and partners in the Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress with ESTSS and other societies worldwide. ESTSS is a founding partner in collaborative efforts to address traumatic stress topics of global importance.
• Japanese Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (JSTSS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012JSTSS is a partner in the Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress, collaborating on research and practice guidelines for traumatic stress disorders internationally.
• Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ASTSS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012ASTSS participates in the Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress, working on shared initiatives with ISTSS and other international partners.
• Argentine Society for Psychotrauma (SAPsi)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012SAPsi is a founding partner in the Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress, contributing to international trauma research initiatives.
• Asian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (AsianSTSS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012AsianSTSS participates in the Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress, representing the Asian region in international trauma partnerships.
• Canadian Psychological Association Traumatic Stress Section (CPA TSS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012CPA TSS participates in the Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress as a partner society representing Canada.
• German-speaking Society for Psychotraumatology (DeGPT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012DeGPT is a partner in the Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress, contributing German-language expertise to international trauma initiatives.
• Asociación Chilena de Estrés Traumático (ACET)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012ACET participates in the Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress, representing Chile and Latin America in international trauma research.
• Argentine Society for Psychotrauma (SAPsi)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorISTSS affiliate society. Members can join ISTSS at no-cost or reduced-cost through SAPsi, accessing publications and conference discounts.
• Asociación Chilena de Estrés Traumático (ACET)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorISTSS affiliate society. ACET members receive discounted or free ISTSS membership with access to member benefits.
• Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ASTSS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorISTSS affiliate society enabling cross-membership and collaborative activities between the two organizations.
• Canadian Psychological Association Traumatic Stress Section (CPA TSS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorISTSS affiliate society. CPA TSS members can access ISTSS membership benefits at reduced rates.
• Deutschsprachige Gesellschaft Fuer Psychotraumatologie (DeGPT)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorISTSS affiliate society representing German-speaking professionals in psychotraumatology.
• Korean Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (KSTSS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorISTSS affiliate society. KSTSS members can join ISTSS at reduced rates.
• American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPSAC partnered with The New York Foundling to focus on meeting needs of professionals engaged in services for maltreated children. Partnership includes mutual annual meeting marketing coverage.
• American Psychological Association Division 56strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPA Division 56 (Trauma Psychology) champions trauma issues. ISTSS has established a liaison who is a member of both organizations.
• Dart Center for Journalism & TraumastrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal network of journalists, journalism educators and health professionals dedicated to improving media coverage of trauma. Involved in ISTSS Annual Meeting activities.
• Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerIVAT shares state-of-the-science information and improves networking among professionals. ISTSS and IVAT have mutual annual meeting marketing coverage.
• International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association focused on dissociation and trauma. ISTSS has established a liaison who is a member of both organizations.
• The Coalition for the International Criminal CourtstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with over 2,500 civil society organizations from 150 countries advancing international justice. ISTSS contributes expertise on trauma and human rights issues.
• National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan (NPEIV)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella organization committed to reducing interpersonal violence through scientific research and empirical findings.
• Sidran InstitutestrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorISTSS refers persons seeking a therapist to Sidran. Sidran offers free assistance locating appropriate trauma resources and is a leading provider of trauma education and resources.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS): The European counterpart to ISTSS, ESTSS is a multidisciplinary professional society advancing research and clinical practice on traumatic stress. While it is also a Global Collaboration partner, it represents the same membership model and serves a highly overlapping clinician/researcher base in Europe.
• International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD): An international professional association focused on trauma and dissociation, with overlapping membership, governance, and educational programming. ISSTD already maintains a liaison relationship with ISTSS.

Broad incumbents

• National Center for PTSD: A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs program that conducts research, produces clinical guidelines, and disseminates trauma treatment resources. Several ISTSS board members hold roles at the National Center for PTSD, making it a key institutional peer.
• American Psychological Association (APA): The largest professional psychology organization in the U.S., offering membership, journals, CE, and advocacy. APA Division 56 (Trauma Psychology) directly overlaps with ISTSS's clinical focus, providing a broader alternative for trauma-interested psychologists.
• World Psychiatric Association (WPA): A global psychiatric professional organization analogous to ISTSS in scale and international reach, providing journals, congresses, and educational programs that overlap with ISTSS's clinical and research mandate.
• British Psychological Society (BPS): The U.K.'s national professional body for psychologists, offering membership, journals, and accreditation with significant trauma-relevant content. Represents a comparable professional society model for an international audience.
• American Psychiatric Association (APA): The main professional society for psychiatrists, providing journals, CME, and clinical resources that overlap with ISTSS's psychiatric and clinical guideline offerings.
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): A national nonprofit providing education, training, and resources on anxiety, depression, and related disorders — including PTSD — operating a similar membership/CE model to ISTSS in an adjacent clinical space.

Regional players

• Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ASTSS): The Australasian sister society to ISTSS, with overlapping trauma-research and clinician audiences. Functions as both an affiliate channel and a regional peer sharing program formats and field leadership.
• Japanese Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (JSTSS): Japan's national society for traumatic stress, with affiliated membership ties to ISTSS and shared research interests. JSTSS leadership participates in ISTSS governance, making it a regional peer with high overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ISTSSnews
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@istss6153
• Facebookfacebook.com/ISTSStudies
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/istss
• Instagraminstagram.com/istssnews

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies