User:Philippe.shnaider/Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CBCT for PTSD)

Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CBCT for PTSD) Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CBCT for PTSD) is a manualized, empirically supported therapy for dyads in which at least one individual is diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). CBCT for PTSD is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy for dyads (romantic partners, family member, and close friends). The treatment aims to simultaneously reduce PTSD symptoms in one or both partners and improve relationship satisfaction within the dyad. The treatment focuses on reducing avoidance and making meaning of the traumatic event through a number of interventions directed at the dyad (Monson & Fredman, in press).

About Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CBCT for PTSD)
CBCT for PTSD is a theoretically based and empirically validated dyadic treatment for PTSD. It is based on the cognitive behavioral interpersonal theory (CBIT) of PTSD (Monson, Fredman, & Dekel 2010; Monson, Stevens, Schnurr, 2005). CBCT for PTSD has been shown to be efficacious in reducing PTSD symptoms in the PTSD-identified partner, decreasing associated psychological problems (depression, anxiety, and anger) in both partners, and increasing relationship satisfaction within a number of controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials. Results from these clincical trials have demonstrated effect sizes in the medium to large range (Monson, Fredman, Adair, Stevens, resick, Schnurr, MacDonald et al. 2011; Monson, Schnurr, Stevens, & Guthrie, 2004; Monson, Stevens, Schnurr, 2005). In addition clinical considerations are currently being examined for the application of this therapy to different types of couples (e.g., dually traumatized, both partners presenting with mental health disorders) and other specific clinical issues (e.g., intimate aggression, substance abuse; http://www.coupletherapyforptsd.com).

CBCT for PTSD was developed by Candice M. Monson, PhD (primary developer), a professor and the director of clinical training in the Department of Psychology at Ryerson University in Toronto, ON, and by Steffany J. Fredman a clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital and instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Monson, currently travels internationally, along with her training team, to provide training in CBCT for PTSD.

Components
CBCT for PTSD is a time-limited, evidence-based intervention consisting of 15 treatment sessions scheduled for 75 minutes each. CBCT for PTSD utilizes individuals' social support to work through treatment. This has two benefits: 1) it capitalizes on their relationship to make the individual better, and 2) it helps improve relationship issues that often accompany PTSD. CBCT for PTSD consists of three phases. Phase one consists of sessions 1 & 2 and focuses on the rational for treatment and psychoeducationa bout PTSD and intimate relationships. Phase two consists of sessions 3-7, which focus on increasing relationship satisfaction and undermining avoidance. Phase three consists of sessions 8-15 and focuses on the making meaning of the trauma and ending therapy (http://www.coupletherapyforptsd.com).

Relevant Literature
Literature Relevant to CBCT for PTSD:

1. Monson, C. M., Fredman, S. J., & Adair, K. C. (2008). Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD: Application to Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom service members and veterans. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 64, 958-971.

2. Monson, C. M., Fredman, S. J., & Dekel, R. (in press). Posttraumatic stress disorder in an interpersonal context. In G. J. Beck (Ed.), Interpersonal processes in the anxiety disorders. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

3. Monson, C. M., Fredman, S. J., & Taft, C. T. (in press). Couple/family issues and interventions for Global War on Terror veterans. In M. J. Friedman, J. Ruzek, P. P. Schnurr & J. J. Vasterling (Eds.), Posttraumatic stress reactions: Caring for veterans of the Global War on Terror. Washington: American Psychological Association.

4. Monson, C. M., Guthrie, K. A., & Stevens, S. P. (2003). Cognitive-behavioral couple’s treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder. the Behavior Therapist, 26, 393-402.

5. Monson, C. M., Schnurr, P. P., Stevens, S. P., & Guthrie, K. A. (2004). Cognitivebehavioral couple’s treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder: Initial findings. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 17, 341-344.

6. Monson, C. M., Stevens, S. P., & Schnurr, P. P. (2005). Cognitive-behavioral couple’s treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder. In T. A. Corales (Ed.), Focus on posttraumatic stress disorder research (pp. 251-280). Hauppague, NY: Nova Science.

7. Monson, C. M., Stevens, S. P., & Schnurr, P. P. (2006). Kognitive Verhaltenstherapie fur Paare [Cognitive-behavioral couple's treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder]. In R. Rosner & A. Maercker (Eds.), Psychotherapie der posttraumatischen belastungsstorungen (pp. 102-115). Munchen, Germany: Thieme.

8. Riggs, D. S., Monson, C. M., Glynn, S., & Canterino, J. (2009). Couples and family therapy. In E. B. Foa, T. M. Keane & M. J. Friedman (Eds.), Effective treatments for PTSD: Practice guidelines from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (pp. 458-478). New York: Guilford.