Treating Complex Trauma Among Veterans: Three Stage‐Based Treatment Models

Abstract

This article addresses the issue of complex trauma in veterans and treatments for symptom presentations resulting from complex trauma exposure. While various definitions have been proposed for complex trauma, the clinical issues related to it are relevant for veterans as they are at risk for cumulative trauma exposures such as multiple combat deployments and military sexual trauma. Several treatments were either developed to address and/or implemented with complex trauma. This article discusses three of these treatments that share a stage-based approach, focusing on the present (e.g., skills training and psychoeducation), which can then be followed, if needed, with a past-focused (e.g., exposure-based) treatment: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (Linehan, 1993), Seeking Safety (Najavits, 2002), Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR) Narrative Therapy (Cloitre, Cohen, & Koenen, 2006). This article also discusses what is currently being done to address symptom presentations resulting from complex trauma exposure and challenges and possible solutions to implementing this care.