“Empirically Supported Assessment and Treatment for PTSD with Survivors of Domestic Violence” Full Session
This 4-hour presentation addresses assessment measures for PTSD and introduces the topic of empirically supported treatments for PTSD including Prolonged Exposure (PE), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). The treatments reviewed in this presentation were each introduced in the 1980s and have over 40 years of empirical support, including randomized controlled trials, outcome studies, and case studies that support their use. PE and CPT are recommended treatments by the APA Guidelines for adults who have PTSD. While PE and CPT have been widely disseminated for Veteran populations, they are not well disseminated in other settings and may be difficult for survivors of domestic violence to obtain. Participants will receive an introduction to these treatments and be provided with information about receiving more training upon completion of this seminar. Specific application for the use of these treatments with survivors of interpersonal violence will be provided.
Learning Objectives:
Part One
1. Define Domestic Violence (DV).
2. Discuss related risk factors and cultural variables.
3. Identify types of abuse that constitute DV.
Part Two
1. List well-validated measures of exposure to Criterion A Traumatic events and PTSD. This includes which measures are used to indicate a diagnosis of PTSD and which are used to measure PTSD severity.
2. Explain how PTSD measures can be implemented in practice.
3. Describe the empirical support for treatments reviewed, CPT, and PE and discuss the APA PTSD Treatment Guidelines.
Part Three
1. Discuss offering treatment options to survivors of Domestic /Interpersonal Violence who have PTSD.
2. Identify treatments that have empirical support for PTSD.
3. Discuss common myths related to PTSD treatment.
Part Four
1. Explain possible treatment concerns when working with clients who have experienced DV and are currently in abusive relationships.
2. Discuss the steps in implementing treatment for PTSD with a new client.
3. Provide information about how avoidance may present for clients who have PTSD.