Evidence-Based Cognitive Behavioral Treatments for PTSD in Adults

Abstract

Treatment guidelines consistently identify cognitive behavioral interventions as among the most effective treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This chapter reviews evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapies for PTSD, including exposure therapy (with an emphasis on prolonged exposure), cognitive therapy (with an emphasis on cognitive processing therapy), and stress inoculation training/ stress management. For each type of cognitive behavioral intervention, we review the relevant theory, treatment procedures, and key research studies. The chapter concludes with practice considerations covering factors related to treatment outcome, implementation, and adaptation of these evidence-based treatments. List of Abbreviations AHRQ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality APA American Psychiatric Association BA Behavioral activation CPT-C Cognitive processing therapy – cognitive only CR Cognitive restructuring DCS D-Cycloserine EMDR Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing IOM Institute of Medicine ISTSS International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies ITT Intent to treat MST Military sexual trauma NHMRC Australian National Health and Medical Research Council NICE United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence PCT Present-centered therapy PE Prolonged exposure PTSD Posttraumatic stress disorder RCT Randomized controlled trial SIT Stress inoculation training *Email: juliette.mott@va.gov Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-08613-2_17-2 # Springer International Publishing Switzerland (outside the USA) 2015