Prolonged Exposure Therapy
Problems addressed
Internalizing behaviors/problems
Post-traumatic stress
Effectiveness

Effective

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Effective

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Life periods served
Teenagers (14 to 17 years)
Adults (18 to 59 years)
Where the program was applied
Community (streets or community centers)
Ambulatory - Health service centers
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a cognitive behavioral treatment program for victims of accidents, violence, physical and/or sexual abuse who have developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other mental health disorders. The goal is to reduce the symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
The program consists of individual therapy sessions to elaborate on the traumatic experience, psychoeducation about the disorder, and learning symptom management techniques. The treatment is conducted by trained psychologists and has an average duration of 8 to 15 sessions, once or twice a week.

Impact evaluations

Impact evaluation studies revealed that women in the treatment group experienced statistically significant reductions in the severity of their PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms, as well as improved social functioning [1] [2] [3].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Foa, E. B., Dancu, C. V., Hembree, E. A., Jaycox, L. H., Meadows, E. A. y Street, G. P. (1999). A comparison of exposure therapy, stress inoculation training, and their combination for reducing posttraumatic stress disorder in female assault victims. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67(2), 194–200. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.67.2.194

[2] Resick, P. A., Nishith, P., Weaver, T. L., Astin, M. C. y Feuer, C. A. (2002). A comparison of cognitive-processing therapy with prolonged exposure and a waiting condition for the treatment of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder in female rape victims. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70(4), 867–879. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.70.4.867

[3] Foa, E. B., Hembree, E. A., Cahill, S. P., Rauch, S. A. M., Riggs, D. S., Feeny, N. C. y Yadin, E. (2005). Randomized trial of prolonged exposure for posttraumatic stress disorder with and without cognitive restructuring: Outcome at academic and community clinics. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73(5), 953–964. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.73.5.953

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