Dissemination of exposure therapy in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Since the introduction of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III; American Psychiatric Association, 1980), considerable research has demonstrated the efficacy of several cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) programs in the treatment of chronic PTSD. Among these efficacious treatments is exposure therapy. Despite all the evidence for the efficacy of exposure therapy and other CBT programs, few therapists are trained in these treatments and few patients receive them. In this article, the authors review extant evidence on the reasons that therapists do not use these treatments and recent research on the dissemination of efficacious treatments of PTSD.

Posttraumatic stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder-like symptoms and mild traumatic brain injury

“…A large literature has demonstrated the efficacy of CBT treatments for chronic PTSD [163]. In addition, CBT has been shown to have specific effects on symptoms and associated features of PTSD.…”

Law enforcement preferences for PTSD treatment and crisis management alternatives

“…For instance, research indicates that one of the most efficacious treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), exposure therapy (Foa, Keane, & Friedman, 2000), continues to be underutilized in clinical practice (Becker, Zayfert, & Anderson, 2004;Foy et al, 1996;Rosen et al, 2004). This trend is disturbing given that research suggests that cognitive behavioral treatments (CBT), such as exposure, can substantially reduce PTSD symptoms and also can be successfully delivered by community therapists (see Cahill, Foa, Hembree, Marshall, & Nacash, 2006 for discussion). It should be noted that dissemination findings are not unique to CBT for PTSD.…”

Exploring the Efficacy of Anxiety and PTSD Therapeutic Techniques and Protocols in Practice During Ongoing Terrorism: Evidence From a Focus Group Research

“…Those treatments have proven successful in changing and bettering the situation of trauma victims (Mendes et al, 2008). Although dozens of studies and trials have proven the efficacy of some leading evidence-based treatments (EBT) for PTSD earlier mentioned and majority of trauma specialists support EBT practice generally (Gray, Elhai & Shmidt, 2007), manulized interventions or evidence based treatments are poorly implemented in clinical practice (Becker, Zavfert & Anderson, 2004;Cahill, Foa, Hembree, Marshall & Nacash, 2006;Waller, 2009;van Minnen & Hendriks, 2010). Among the common reasons mentioned in the above works to serve barriers for implementations of EBTs and EBPs for PTSD in public-sector practice settings were lack of training in the techniques, hesitancy and disinclination to use protocolized treatment and concerns about decompensation.…”