Treating PTSD with Cognitive-behavioral Therapies

Book excerpt: Backed by decades of research, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the intervention of choice for clients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, or source of symptoms. This compact, clinician-friendly resource guides readers through cognitive-behavioral techniques and treatment packages for PTSD, using case studies to illustrate how to troubleshoot common problems. Explaining each approach's theoretical underpinnings as well as its step-by-step implementation, Monson and Shnaider cover both trauma-focused techniques, such as prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy, and stress inoculation training, and non-trauma-focused or present-centered techniques, such as breathing training, relaxation training, and positive self-talk. Also addressed are depression and social isolation, symptoms that often accompany PTSD. -- from back cover.