This casebook offers detailed guidance to help practitioners understand and implement the treatments recommended in the American Psychological Association’s Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Adults.

The authors describe the unique factors involved in PTSD treatment, and core competencies necessary for providers. Chapters then explain each treatment described in the guideline, summarize the empirical evidence for their effectiveness, and offer rich, detailed case examples that demonstrate how readers can use these interventions with real clients. Treatments described include cognitive behavior therapy, cognitive processing therapy, cognitive therapy and prolonged exposure, brief eclectic psychotherapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and narrative exposure therapy. Medications including fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine are discussed as well. Intended for use with the Guideline, this book combines the best available research with expert clinical recommendations, to help readers make the clinical decisions that are best for their patients.

 

Lynne F. Bufka, PhD, is the Associate Executive Director of Practice Research and Policy at the American Psychological Association in Washington, DC.  Before coming to APA, Lynn earned her Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology from Boston University in 1996, where she taught such courses as Cross-Cultural Psychology, Case Management, and Adult Psychological Assessment at Boston University. Her areas of professional interest include health care policy, practice patterns and trends, professional development, adult anxiety disorders and cross-cultural issues in psychology. She frequently serves as a media spokesperson for APA on these topics and other policy matters relevant to professional practice. Follow @drbufka.

C. Vaile Wright, PhD, is Director of Research and Special Projects at the American Psychological Association, where she focuses on the development and implementation of programs and policies related to expanding opportunities for professional psychology.  Her training and career in mental and behavioral health has been dedicated to the integration of practice and research in the area of professional psychology. Dr. Wright has clinical, research, management, training, and teaching experience in hospital (both inpatient and outpatient), government, non-profit and academic settings. Her research has included peer-reviewed articles in Law and Human Behavior, Journal of Traumatic Stress, Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, among others.  Follow @drvailewright.

Raquel W. Halfond, PhD, is the Director of Clinical Practice Guidelines for the American Psychological Association, overseeing all the day-to-day activities of the initiative. She is also a clinical psychologist. Dr. Halfond received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. She completed her APA approved clinical internship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and was a postdoctoral fellow at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.   

Chapter 1: Introduction to this Casebook
Chapter 2: Foundations of PTSD Treatment
Chapter 3: Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for PTSD
Chapter 4: Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD
Chapter 5: Cognitive Therapy for PTSD
Chapter 6: Prolonged Exposure for PTSD
Chapter 7: Brief Eclectic Therapy for PTSD
Chapter 8: Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy for PTSD
Chapter 9: Narrative Exposure Therapy for PTSD
Chapter 10: Pharmacotherapy for PTSD
Chapter 11: Conclusion: Treatment Themes, Shared Components, and Future Research Directions