Workshop 3

 

Cognitive Processing Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Comorbid Disorders

Patricia Resick, Boston University/ National Center for PTSD

 Patricia Resick

The purpose of this Pre-Congress Workshop will be to train participants in the implementation of cognitive processing therapy (CPT), an evidence-based treatment for PTSD. CPT is a 12-session protocol that has been demonstrated to be effective for the treatment of PTSD and depression resulting from a range of traumatic events occurring in the community and military.  It can be implemented as an individual or group treatment. CPT consists of trauma-focused cognitive therapy and writing exposure arranged as a systematic and progressive series of skills and assignments.  After an introduction to the theoretical underpinnings of the therapy, participants will learn how to treat clients with CPT session by session. In addition to didactic information, CPT will be demonstrated with actual taped client examples. Common problems encountered with clients will be discussed. Participants are encouraged to bring case examples for discussion. This workshop will include lecture, powerpoint, DVD therapy examples, written exercises, role-play and discussion.
 
Key Objectives:
1) Conceptualize PTSD from an information processing perspective and be able to describe and explain PTSD symptoms to patients to elicit their cooperation with treatment.
2) Consider comorbidity issues in assessing for PTSD and readiness for PTSD treatment.
3) Describe the CPT protocol components. A) areas of disruptive thinking most likely to result from trauma. B) cognitive interventions that assist the client to challenge distorted thinking and replace these unhelpful thinking patterns with alternative thoughts C) to implement a writing form of exposure.
4) Develop the skills to implement the CPT protocol. 
5) Consider issues in implementing group versus individual CPT;  specific populations; other implementation issues.

Training Modalities: Lecture, discussion, practice using worksheets, role play, view DVD examples of clients

Patricia A. Resick is a Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology and Boston University and is the Director of the National Center for PTSD, Women’s Health Sciences Division, VA Boston Healthcare System. She has been conducting research and clinical work with trauma victims for over 30 years, particularly on factors influencing recovery from trauma and developing and testing therapy for PTSD and comorbid depression. She is currently working on implementation research in the VA system.
 
References:  1) Resick, P. A., and Schnicke, M. K. (1993).  Cognitive processing therapy for rape victims: A treatment manual.  Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.
2) Resick, P.A., Nishith, P., Weaver, T.L., Astin, M.C., and Feuer, C.A. (2002).  A comparison of cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure and a waiting condition for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in female rape victims.  Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70, 867-879.
3) Resick, P.A., Nishith, P., and Griffin, M.G. (2003). How well does cognitive-behavioral therapy treat symptoms of complex PTSD? An examination of child sexual abuse survivors within a clinical trial. CNS Spectrums, 8, 340-355.
4) Monson, C.M., Schnurr, P.P., Resick, P.A., Friedman, M.J., Young-Xu, Y., and Stevens, S.P. (in press). Cognitive processing therapy for veterans with military-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.