Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD A Brief Treatment Approach for Mental Health Professionals

by Sloan, Denise M; Marx, Brian P.

• ISBN13: 9781433830129
• ISBN10: 1433830124
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2019-04-23
• Publisher: American Psychological Association

Summary

This treatment manual provides mental health professionals with instructions for conducting written exposure therapy (WET) with clients who have posttraumatic stress disorder.

Authors Denise Sloan and Brian Marx developed WET in response to a growing demand for an effective PTSD treatment that is easier to implement, more affordable, and has lower dropout rates than other trauma interventions. In their unique approach, the client writes about a single traumatic event, and the therapist focuses on the client’s experiences in writing about the trauma, rather than the event itself.
 
Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD contains a scripted protocol for WET along with detailed clinical guidance for conducting each session. Sloan and Marx answer frequently asked questions from clinicians and review real‑life case examples that demonstrate solutions to common issues and challenges that can occur during WET sessions. They also explain how to assess the client before treatment to determine the appropriateness of WET and during treatment to monitor the client’s progress. Key background information about PTSD symptoms and WET’s theoretical underpinnings are also reviewed.

Author Biography

Denise M. Sloan, PhD, is Associate Director in the Behavioral Science Division at the National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System and Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine. Her research expertise is in psychosocial treatments for PTSD and emotion in psychopathology. Dr. Sloan currently serves as Editor for the journal Behavior Therapy and is a consulting editor for several scientific journals. She received the Toy Caldwell-Colbert Award for Distinguished Educator in Clinical Psychology in 2017 and the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies: Distinguished Mentor Award in 2015. Denise lives in Sharon, MA. Visit https://profiles.bu.edu/Denise.Sloan.

Brian P. Marx, PhD, is Deputy Director of the Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System and Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine. His research interests include the assessment and treatment of PTSD, identifying risk factors for posttraumatic difficulties, and suicide risk detection and prevention among veterans. He serves on the editorial board of several scientific journals. Brian received the APA Division 56 Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Science of Trauma Psychology in 2017. He also coauthored Making Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Work, Third Edition. Brian lives in Sharon, MA. Visit https://profiles.bu.edu/Brian.Marx.

Table of Contents

Overview of PTSD and Trauma-Focused Interventions · Development and Efficacy Findings of Written Exposure Therapy · Assessing PTSD Before Beginning Written Exposure Therapy · Delivery of Written Exposure Therapy and Special Considerations · Frequently Asked Questions About Delivering Written Exposure Therapy · Case Illustrations · Appendix. Written Exposure Therapy Script