A controlled study into the (cognitive) effects of exposure treatment on trauma therapists

Several researchers have reported on therapists' symptoms as a result of trauma treatment, such as disruptions in cognitive schemata and symptoms resembling PTSD-symptoms. Thus far, however, no studies compared the symptoms of trauma therapists and non-trauma therapists. In the present study, both trauma therapists (n = 20) and non-trauma therapists (n = 19) were included. During semi-structured interviews, both therapist groups reported negative and positive effects of their work with patients on their personal and professional functioning. Trauma therapists reported more often changes of cognitions due to trauma work. Results from questionnaires, however, showed that compared with norm-standards and compared with non-trauma therapists, trauma therapists did not show enhanced psychopathology nor distorted cognitive schemata. It is concluded that although exposure treatments with trauma patients are associated with therapists' distress, therapists seem able to cope with it in a healthy way.