Present Centered Group Therapy For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Treatment

DIAGNOSIS: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

TREATMENT: Present Centered Group Therapy For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

BRIEF SUMMARY

Basic premise: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. PTSD can cause symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance of triggers, negative mood changes, and increased arousal. Therapy may effectively treat symptoms of PTSD. Present-centered group therapy (PCGT) is an evidence-based intervention that focuses on current issues and challenges, rather than past traumas.
Essence of therapy: PCGT for PTSD as evidence-based approach focuses on current issues and challenges related to PTSD. It involves identifying and addressing current symptoms and stressors, as well as developing coping strategies. The group therapy may include various techniques, such as psychoeducation, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and relaxation exercises. Exposure or cognitive restructuring techniques are generally not used in PCGT. The goal of PCGT is providing a supportive environment in which individuals can connect with others who have experienced similar challenges and work together to address their PTSD symptoms. While this approach shares some similarities with individual present-centered therapy, group therapy may provide additional benefits such as social support and feedback.

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

Resick, P. A., Wachen, J. S., Mintz, J., Young-McCaughan, S., Roache, J. D., Borah, A. M., Borah, E. V., Dondanville, K. A., Hembree, E. A., Litz, B. T., & Peterson, A. L. (2015). A randomized clinical trial of group cognitive processing therapy compared with group present-centered therapy for PTSD among active duty military personnel. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 83(6), 1058–1068. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000016

https://div12.org/treatment/present-centered-therapy-for-post-traumatic-stress-disorder/

TREATMENT RESOURCES

TREATMENT MANUALS

Present-centered group therapy for PTSD: Embracing today (Wattenberg, M. S., Gross, D. L., Niles, B. L., Unger, W. S., & Shea, M. T. )

A treatment manual for present-focused and trauma-focused group therapies for sexual abuse survivors at risk for HIV infection. (Classen, C., Butler, L. D., Spiegel, D. )

Group interventions for treatment of psychological trauma module 4: An overview of evidence-based group approaches to trauma with adults. (Foy, D. W., Unger, W. S., & Wattenberg, M. S. )

WORKBOOKS and WORKSHEETS

Homework page. (Presentcenteredtherapy.com)

Stress worksheets (Therapist Aid)

Free therapy worksheets. (Brian Konik )

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

CDP presents: Present-Centered Therapy for PTSD. (Deploymentpsych.org)

Behandlung von Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörungen Therapie Und Stabilisierung (Kaiser, P. )

PTSD: National center for PTSD. (Ptsd.va.gov. )

Present-centered therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder. (Johnson, B. )

What is present-focused group trauma therapy (PFGTT) and who is it for? (Turning Leaf Therapy )

Present-centered therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder. (Health.Mil)

SUPPORTING STUDIES

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

MINDFULNESS‐BASED EXPOSURE THERAPY FOR POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) IN COMBAT VETERANS OF AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ. Depression and Anxiety, 33(4), 289–299.

https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22481

Polusny, M. A., Erbes, C. R., Thuras, P., Moran, A., Lamberty, G. J., Collins, R. C., Rodman, J. L., & Lim, K. O. (2015). Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Veterans: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, 314(5), 456.

https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.8361

Ready, D. J., Mascaro, N., Wattenberg, M. S., Sylvers, P., Worley, V., & Bradley-Davino, B. (2018). A Controlled Study of Group-Based Exposure Therapy with Vietnam-Era Veterans. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 23(6), 439–457.

https://doi.org/10.1080/15325024.2018.1485268

https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000016

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