Description:
This intensive 2-day module provides training in Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy, an evidence-based treatment for PTSD described in the manual, Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD – Therapist Guide, by Foa et al., 2007. It covers the empirical and theoretical support for PE and reviews the main clinical techniques used in this structured protocol. Step-by-step instructions for conducting PE therapy sessions, including in vivo and imaginal exposure, along with strategies for working with over- and under-engaged patients and other difficult cases, are shared. Videotaped examples of PE cases are used to demonstrate therapist skills. Participants are expected to do role-plays in class to practice PE techniques, and they must attend both days.
This module includes DVD / video clips that may be distressing to some audience members. Speaker will disclose this to the audience prior to the presentation. This module requires breakout sessions for participants to do role-plays, so room should be large enough to allow a minimum of 8 inch separation between breakout groups of two or three participants each.
Learning Objectives:
1. Develop a theoretical conceptualization of a client’s PTSD symptoms to guide treatment planning.
2. Communicate a rationale for Prolonged Exposure Therapy that builds rapport, improves client motivation, and increases treatment adherence.
3. Determine how common reactions to trauma relate to the symptoms of PTSD and articulate how these reactions impact client functioning.
4. Demonstrate an effective method of breathing that reduces client arousal and promotes distress tolerance.
5. Construct an individualized avoidance hierarchy designed to systematically confront core fears.
6. Implement in vivo exposure to block trauma related avoidance.
7. Facilitate imaginal exposure to reduce the intensity and frequency of PTSD symptoms.
8. Utilize specific skills to manage emotional engagement to increase the effectiveness of imaginal exposure.
9. Structure homework assignments that deepen exposure-based learning and further treatment goals.
10. Distinguish “hot spots” in the trauma memory in order to more efficiently reduce the intensity of associated symptoms.
11. Analyze exposure exercises to facilitate new learning and modify client's unhelpful, trauma-based cognitions.
12. Incorporate new learning to revise unhelpful cognitions that promote avoidance and maintain symptoms.
13. Assess Prolonged Exposure Therapy outcomes using standardized procedures and use assessment data to refine treatment planning.
14. Adapt exposure techniques in a theoretically consistent manner to improve accessibility and clinical outcomes for specific patients.
Outline:
I. Introduction and Course Overview
II. Response to Trauma
A. Post trauma outcomes
B. Theories of PTSD symptom development
C. What is Prolonged Exposure?
D. How is exposure helpful?
III. Will PE work with my patients? What the research says...
A. Body of Evidence
1. Clinical Impact
2. Applicability
3. Comparisons with other treatments
B. Evidence Based Clinical Practice Guidelines
C. Common Concerns
1.Generalization
2.Individualization of treatment
3.Safety
IV. Assessment
A. Who is not appropriate for PE?
B. Evaluating Criterion A
C. Using Self Report Measures (PCL-5)
D. Collaborative Treatment Planning
V. Treatment Approach: Common Elements
A. Therapeutic Alliance
B. Treatment Structure
C. Treatment Components
D. Recording Treatment
VI. Sequential Components of the PE protocol
A. Session 1: Introducing the treatment
1. Overview
2. Rationale
3. Treatment Components
4. Index Trauma/Trauma Interview
5. Relaxed breathing
B. Session 2: Common reactions/Introducing in vivo exposure
1. Common Reactions Discussion
2. Rationale for In vivo exposure
3. Generating in vivo targets
4. Developing the SUDs rating scale
5. Refining the in vivo hierarchy
6. Preparing the client for their first in vivo exposure
C. Importance of Homework
D. Session 3: Introducing imaginal exposure
1. Rationale for imaginal exposure
2. Implementing imaginal exposure
3. Processing
E. Sessions 4-5: Shaping Engagement
1. Under-engagement
2. Over-engagement
3. Anger and other challenges to engagement
F. Assessing progress to improve outcome
G. Session 6-7: Introducing Hotspots
1. Rationale for Hotspots
2. Identification of hotspots
3. Exposure and Processing
H. Final Session
1. Discontinuing PE: When is PE “done”?
2. Final Session Summary
3. Relapse Prevention
VII. Extending the Reach of PE
A. Accessibility
B. Special Populations