Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Treatment

DIAGNOSIS: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

TREATMENT: Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

BRIEF SUMMARY

Basic premise: Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy (CBGT) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a therapeutic approach that combines elements of cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy within a group setting. CBT is based on the theory that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence each other. CBGT for PTSD incorporates cognitive techniques, such as identifying and challenging negative or distorted thoughts related to the trauma. Participants learn to recognize and replace unhelpful or irrational thoughts with more accurate and adaptive ones. Behavioral techniques, such as gradual exposure and behavioral activation, may also be used. Gradual exposure helps individuals confront feared situations or memories in a safe and controlled manner to reduce avoidance and fear responses. Behavioral activation focuses on increasing engagement in positive and meaningful activities to counteract feelings of withdrawal and isolation often associated with PTSD.
Essence of therapy: In CBGT, a group of individuals with similar trauma experiences come together under the guidance of a trained therapist. The therapy typically follows a structured format and includes various cognitive and behavioral techniques. The main goals of CBGT for PTSD are to reduce symptoms of PTSD, improve coping skills, and enhance overall functioning and well-being. Although there is less literature on the efficacy and effectiveness of group treatment for people with PTSD compared with individual treatment, group psychotherapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for people with PTSD.

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Beck, J. G., & Sloan, D. M. (2021). Group treatments for PTSD. Handbook of PTSD: Science & Practice (3rd ed.). New York: Guilford Press. In press.

Berliner, L., Merchant, L., Roberts, A., & Martin, D. (2020). CBT guide for intimate partner violence.

McGovern, M. P., Mueser, K. T., Hamblen, J. L., Jankowski, J. (2010). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for PTSD A program for Addiction Professionals. Hazelden Information & Educational Services.

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Schwartze, D., Barkowski, S., Strauss, B., Knaevelsrud, C., & Rosendahl, J. (2019). Efficacy of group psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: Systematic review and meta-analysis of
randomized controlled trials. Psychotherapy Research: Journal of the Society for Psychotherapy Research, 29(4), 415–431. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2017.1405168

TREATMENT RESOURCES

TREATMENT MANUALS

PTSD Recovery Program Therapist Manual. (Lynch, J., Mack, L., Benesek, J., & Marshall, C. )

Finding Your Fire A group therapy manual designed for women who experience PTSD from sexual violence. (Schafer, B. )

Cognitive therapy of anxiety disorders: Science and practice. (Clark, D. A., & Beck, A. T. )

Seeking safety: A treatment manual for PTSD and substance abuse. (Najavits, L. M. )

Trauma-centered group psychotherapy for women: A clinician’s manual (Lubin, H., & Johnson, D.)

CBT Guide for Intimate Partner Violence. (Berliner, L., Merchant, L., Roberts, A., & Martin, D. )

Courage Group Helping Veterans Who Have Experienced Military Sexual Trauma Move Forward Together Clinician Manual. (Boykin, D., Hundt, N., Foley, D. )

Anger management for substance use disorder and mental health clients: A cognitive-behavioral therapy manual (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. )

WORKBOOKS and WORKSHEETS

Mental health worksheets. (Knowles, A. )

Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in special populations: A cognitive restructuring program. (Mueser, K. T., Rosenberg, S. D. & Rosenberg, H. J. )

25 meaningful CBT worksheets. (Lannette, J. )

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (Psychology Tools)

Trauma Focused CBT (Washington.edu)

CBT information leaflets & self help guides. (Getselfhelp.co.uk.)

PTSD Worksheets (TherapyByPro.)

OxCADAT Resources for cognitive therapy for PTSD, social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. (OxCADAT Resources)

Worksheets for cognitive behavioral therapy for post traumatic stress disorder (ptsd): CBT workbook to deal with stress, anxiety, anger, control mood, learn new behaviors & regulate emotions. (Cruise, P. )

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The PTSD Workbook A Journey to Resilience and Beyond. (Mandić, T. )

The PTSD workbook, 3rd edition: Simple, effective techniques for overcoming traumatic stress symptoms. (Williams, M. B., & Poijula, S. )

Overcoming trauma and PTSD: A workbook integrating skills from ACT, DBT, and CBT. (Raja, S. )

Group Therapy for PTSD. In Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Pagel, J. F. )

Group Therapy (Sloan, D. M., & Schnurr, P. P. )

PTSD and CPTSD self-help guide. (Nhsinform.Scot)

Group delivery of exposure, cognitive, and behavioral PTSD interventions in a 16 week protocol. (APA Division 56-Trauma Psychology )

Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for PTSD. (Snipes, D. )

PTSD Self-Help Worksheets. (Barton, L. )

CBT for PTSD: How It Works, Examples & Effectiveness. (Choosingtherapy.com)

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – PTSD (Ptsduk.org)

PTSD facts & treatment. (Adaa.org)

500 free printable workbooks & manuals for therapists. (Jewell, C. )

OxCADAT Resources for cognitive therapy for PTSD Therapy Materials. (OxCADAT Resources)

Group Interventions for Treatment of Psychological Trauma. (American Group Psychotherapy Association)

SUPPORTING STUDIES

Akbarian, F., Bajoghli, H., Haghighi, M., Kalak, N., Holsboer-Trachsler, E., & Brand, S. (2015). The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy with respect to psychological symptoms and recovering autobiographical memory in patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 11, 395–404.

https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S79581

Beck, J. G., Coffey, S. F., Foy, D. W., Keane, T. M., & Blanchard, E. B. (2009). Group Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Initial Randomized Pilot Study. Behavior Therapy, 40(1), 82–92.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2008.01.003

Boden, M. T., Kimerling, R., Jacobs‐Lentz, J., Bowman, D., Weaver, C., Carney, D., … & Trafton, J. A. (2012). Seeking Safety treatment for male veterans with a substance use disorder and post‐traumatic stress disorder symptomatology. Addiction, 107(3), 578-586.

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03658.x

Brand, S., Akbarian, F., Bajoghli, H., Haghighi, M., Kalak, N., & Holsboer-Trachsler, E. (2015). The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy with respect to psychological symptoms and recovering autobiographical memory in patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 395.

https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S79581

Castillo, D. T., Chee, C. L., Nason, E., Keller, J., C’de Baca, J., Qualls, C., Fallon, S. K., Haaland, K. Y., Miller, M. W., & Keane, T. M. (2016). Group-delivered cognitive/exposure therapy for PTSD in women veterans: A randomized controlled trial. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 8(3), 404–412.

https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000111

Classen, C., Koopman, C., Nevillmanning, K., & Spiegel, D. (2001). A Preliminary Report Comparing Trauma-Focused and Present-Focused Group Therapy Against a Wait-Listed Condition Among Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors with PTSD. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 4(2), 265–288.

https://doi.org/10.1300/J146v04n02_12

Dorrepaal, E., Thomaes, K., Smit, J. H., van Balkom, A. J. L. M., Veltman, D. J., Hoogendoorn, A. W., & Draijer, N. (2012). Stabilizing Group Treatment for Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Related to Child Abuse Based on Psychoeducation and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 81(4), 217–225.

https://doi.org/10.1159/000335044

Ford, J. D., Chang, R., Levine, J., & Zhang, W. (2013). Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Affect Regulation and Supportive Group Therapies for Victimization-Related PTSD With Incarcerated Women. Behavior Therapy, 44(2), 262–276.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2012.10.003

Frisman, L., Ford, J., Lin, H.-J., Mallon, S., & Chang, R. (2008). Outcomes of Trauma Treatment Using the TARGET Model. Journal of Groups in Addiction & Recovery, 3(3–4), 285–303.

https://doi.org/10.1080/15560350802424910

Hien, D. A., Wells, E. A., Jiang, H., Suarez-Morales, L., Campbell, A. N. C., Cohen, L. R., Miele, G. M., Killeen, T., Brigham, G. S., Zhang, Y., Hansen, C., Hodgkins, C., Hatch-Maillette, M., Brown, C., Kulaga, A., Kristman-Valente, A., Chu, M., Sage, R., Robinson, J. A., … Nunes, E. V. (2009). Multisite randomized trial of behavioral interventions for women with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77(4), 607–619.

https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016227

Hinton, D. E., Hofmann, S. G., Rivera, E., Otto, M. W., & Pollack, M. H. (2011). Culturally adapted CBT (CA-CBT) for Latino women with treatment-resistant PTSD: A pilot study comparing CA-CBT to applied muscle relaxation. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 49(4), 275–280.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2011.01.005

Hollifield, M., Sinclair-Lian, N., Warner, T. D., & Hammerschlag, R. (2007). Acupuncture for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial. Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease, 195(6), 504–513.

https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0b013e31803044f8

Kent, M., Davis, M. C., Stark, S. L., & Stewart, L. A. (2011). A resilience-oriented treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder: Results of a preliminary randomized clinical trial. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 24(5), 591–595.

https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.20685

Morland, L. A., Greene, C. J., Rosen, C. S., Foy, D., Reilly, P., Shore, J., He, Q., & Frueh, B. C. (2010). Telemedicine for anger management therapy in a rural population of combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: A randomized noninferiority trial. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 71(7), 855–863.

https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.09m05604blu

Otto, M. W., Hinton, D., Korbly, N. B., Chea, A., Ba, P., Gershuny, B. S., & Pollack, M. H. (2003). Treatment of pharmacotherapy-refractory posttraumatic stress disorder among Cambodian refugees: A pilot study of combination treatment with cognitive-behavior therapy vs sertraline alone. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 41(11), 1271–1276.

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7967(03)00032-9

Schnurr, P. P., Friedman, M. J., Foy, D. W., Shea, M. T., Hsieh, F. Y., Lavori, P. W., Glynn, S. M., Wattenberg, M., & Bernardy, N. C. (2003). Randomized Trial of Trauma-Focused Group Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Results From a Department of Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study. Archives of General Psychiatry, 60(5), 481.

https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.60.5.481

Sloan, D. M., Unger, W., Lee, D. J., & Beck, J. G. (2018). A Randomized Controlled Trial of Group Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Veterans Diagnosed With Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 31(6), 886–898.

https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22338

Zlotnick, C., Johnson, J., & Najavits, L. M. (2009). Randomized Controlled Pilot Study of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in a Sample of Incarcerated Women With Substance Use Disorder and PTSD. Behavior Therapy, 40(4), 325–336.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2008.09.004

Zlotnick, C., Shea, T. M., Rosen, K., Simpson, E., Mulrenin, K., Begin, A., & Pearlstein, T. (1997). An affect-management group for women with posttraumatic stress disorder and histories of childhood sexual abuse. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 10(3), 425–436.

https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1024841321156