Treating PTSD With CognitiveBehavioral Therapies: Interventions That Work (Concise Guides on Trauma Care Series)

This compact, clinician-friendly resource walks readers through cognitive–behavioral techniques and treatment packages for clients with PTSD, using case studies to illustrate how to troubleshoot common problems. Research over the past three decades has confirmed that cognitive–behavioral therapies (CBTs) are among the most effective treatments for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This book introduces clinicians to cognitive–behavioral techniques for PTSD and guides them in adopting treatment protocols. Because myths about CBT for PTSD have been barriers to use, the book offers a clear view of the facts about the evidence-based therapies that offer such promise in helping clients to heal from their traumas. The goal of this clinician-friendly book is clear: to make CBT available to suffering clients. "This book aims to guide clinicians through existing CBT interventions for adults with PTSD by briefly presenting the theoretical underpinnings of empirically supported interventions, providing an overview of the treatment elements themselves, and reviewing treatment packages that have been put forth comprising these interventions (e.g., prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy, stress-inoculation training). We distinguish between therapies that are predominantly behavioral and cognitive, and between those that are trauma-focused versus non-trauma-focused. We discuss common problems and provide ways to troubleshoot them when necessary, and we conclude with a discussion of promising practices in, and future directions for, CBT for PTSD. Finally, we provide suggested readings for clinicians wishing to further develop their clinical skills in treating PTSD. The book is written to be as clinician friendly as possible to increase the likelihood that clinicians will use these interventions with their clients. Although learning and providing these interventions may be more up-front work for clinicians who are not familiar with their delivery, we have observed that clinicians who have endeavored to learn and apply these interventions improve their clinical practice skills more generally. To illustrate the concepts, we have included a number of case examples that have been adequately disguised to protect client confidentiality. Ultimately, we hope that this book results in more clients with PTSD receiving evidence-based therapies that hold good promise to improve their symptoms and well-being"--Introduction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved) Backed by decades of research, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the intervention of choice for clients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, or source of symptoms. This compact, clinician-friendly resource guides readers through cognitive-behavioral techniques and treatment packages for PTSD, using case studies to illustrate how to troubleshoot common problems. Explaining each approach's theoretical underpinnings as well as its step-by-step implementation, Monson and Shnaider cover both trauma-focused techniques, such as prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy, and stress inoculation training, and non-trauma-focused or present-centered techniques, such as breathing training, relaxation training, and positive self-talk. Also addressed are depression and social isolation, symptoms that often accompany PTSD. -- from back cover Contents Series Foreword Introduction Chapter 1 Theory Underlying Trauma-Focused Interventions Chapter 2 Trauma-Focused Interventions: Behavioral Techniques and Treatment Packages Chapter 3 Trauma-Focused Interventions: Cognitive Techniques and Treatment Packages Chapter 4 Theory Underlying Skills-Focused Interventions Chapter 5 Skills-Focused Cognitive and Behavioral Interventions Chapter 6 Promising Practices and Future Directions Appendix: Clinician Resources References Index About the Authors