Posttraumatic Stress Intervention

Since the 1980's, posttraumatic stress intervention has focused primarily on "psychological debriefings" to help prevent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While debriefing is said to be important, mental health professionals are uncertain about outcomes, and there is agreement that debriefing may be somewhat hindered by its pathogenic nature rather than being a positive method for preventing trauma stress. This book demonstrates the need for alternatives to the prevailing model of posttrauma prevention, providing the theoretically and ecologically sound intervention that facilita.

Sharon Johnson is the author of the best selling Therapist's Guide to Clinical Intervention now in its second edition. In this new book on PTSD, she lends her practical outline format to understanding PTSD assessment, treatment planning, and intervention. The book begins with a summary information on PTSD definition, and prevalence, assessment, and the evidence basis behind different treatment options. The book offers adjunctive skill building resources to supplement traditional therapy choices as well as forms for use in clinical practice. This clinician's guide to diagnosing and treating PTSD is written in a concise format with much of the material in outline or bullet point format, allowing easy understanding of complex material for the busy therapist. The book includes a definition of the disorder, diagnostic criteria, the neurobiology of the disorder, tools and information for diagnosing clients, information on functional impairment, interventions, treatment planning, skill building, and additional clinician resources. Outlines treatment goals and objectives for DSM-IV PTSD diagnosis Discusses interventions and the evidence basis for each Offers skill building resources to supplement treatment Provides business and clinical forms for use with PTSD patients

Since the 1980's, posttraumatic stress intervention has focused primarily on psychological debriefings to help prevent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While debriefing is said to be important, mental health professionals are uncertain about outcomes, and there is agreement that debriefing may be somewhat hindered by its pathogenic nature rather than being a positive method for preventing trauma stress. This book demonstrates the need for alternatives to the prevailing model of posttrauma prevention, providing the theoretically and ecologically sound intervention that facilitates recovery and growth in those who have faced adversity. By concentrating on alternative ways of thinking about patterns of interaction between people and adversity, the adoption of a salutogenic paradigm for conceptualization, researching, designing, and delivering effective trauma intervention is advocated. This paradigm offers opportunities for intervention to mitigate traumatic stress reactions, develop resilience, and to establish necessary individual and organizational resources. In addition, the following topics are also examined: The integration of traumatic experiences, brief prevention programs after trauma, the effects of traumatic disclosure on physical and mental health, the values of writing and talking about upsetting events, hardiness as a resiliency factor, and work-related traumatic stress. This book will be useful for disaster workers, emergency worker counselors, police counselors, mental health professionals, and any group or individual that works with people exposed to trauma. The ideas described herein will add to the repertoire of those who seek to help others.

A balanced critical review of psychological debriefing by an eminent international team, published in 2000.

Grounded in the best science available, this essential volume presents practical guidelines for effective clinical intervention in the immediate, intermediate, and long-term aftermath of large-scale traumatic events. Vital lessons learned from a variety of mass traumas and natural disasters are incorporated into the book's thorough review of strategies for helping specific victim and survivor populations. The editors and authors include over 40 leading experts in disaster mental health. Of crucial importance, they clearly summarize the empirical evidence supporting each intervention and provide other guidance based on experience and consensus recommendations.

New edition of the Narrative Exposure Therapy manual, an effective, short-term, culturally universal intervention for trauma victims - including the latest insights and new treatments for dissociation and social pain. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is a successful and culturally universal intervention for the treatment of survivors of multiple and severe traumatic events, such as organized violence, torture, war, rape, and childhood abuse. Field tests in contexts of ongoing adversity and disaster areas, as well as controlled trials in various countries, have shown that three to six sessions can be sufficient to provide considerable relief.

This authoritative volume describes the state of the science of early intervention for trauma and traumatic loss across the lifespan and in a variety of contexts. While few would dispute the importance of helping people cope with severe life stressors, important questions remain about how to identify those at risk for chronic problems and which interventions actually facilitate recovery over time. Following a review of current knowledge on the predictors and course of acute stress disorder, PTSD, and traumatic grief, the volume presents a range of early intervention models designed for very young children, older children, and adults. Authors examine the empirical literature and recommend evidence-based clinical strategies whenever possible, while delineating an extensive agenda for future research. Also covered are the lessons learned from early intervention with specific populations: 9/11 survivors, combat veterans, emergency services personnel, survivors of sexual violence, and others.

An estimated 70% of adults in the United States have experienced a traumatic event at least once in their lives. Though most recover on their own, up to 20% develop chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. For these people, overcoming PTSD requires the help of a professional. This guide gives clinicians the information they need to treat clients who exhibit the symptoms of PTSD. It is based on the principles of Prolonged Exposure Therapy, the most scientifically-tested and proven treatment that has been used to effectively treat victims of all types of trauma. Whether your client is a veteran of combat, a victim of a physical or sexual assault, or a casualty of a motor vehicle accident, the techniques and strategies outlined in this book will help. In this treatment clients are exposed to imagery of their traumatic memories, as well as real-life situations related to the traumatic event in a step-by-step, controllable way. Through these exposures, your client will learn to confront the trauma and begin to think differently about it, leading to a marked decrease in levels of anxiety and other PTSD symptoms. Clients are provided education about PTSD and other common reactions to traumatic events. Breathing retraining is taught as a method for helping the client manage anxiety in daily life. Designed to be used in conjunction with the corresponding client workbook, this therapist guide includes all the tools necessary to effectively implement the prolonged exposure program including assessment measures, session outlines, case studies, sample dialogues, and homework assignments. This comprehensive resource is an exceptional treatment manual that is sure to help you help your clients reclaim their lives from PTSD. TreatmentsThatWorkTM represents the gold standard of behavioral healthcare interventions! · All programs have been rigorously tested in clinical trials and are backed by years of research · A prestigious scientific advisory board, led by series Editor-In-Chief David H. Barlow, reviews and evaluates each intervention to ensure that it meets the highest standard of evidence so you can be confident that you are using the most effective treatment available to date · Our books are reliable and effective and make it easy for you to provide your clients with the best care available · Our corresponding workbooks contain psychoeducational information, forms and worksheets, and homework assignments to keep clients engaged and motivated · A companion website (www.oup.com/us/ttw) offers downloadable clinical tools and helpful resources · Continuing Education (CE) Credits are now available on select titles in collaboration with PsychoEducational Resources, Inc. (PER)