Treating post traumatic stress disorder couples: a psychoeducational program

The effects of veterans' war-related emotional disorders on wives has received little attention in the literature on families and family therapy. Clinical evidence shows devastating effects of combat-related psychopathology on the marriage relationship. Post-traumatic stress disorder can result in chronic marital distress, in addition to veteran disabilities. It is contended here that a clinical couples' therapy model fails to address the specific needs of this population of couples. A cognitive-behavioral analysis of the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on couple functioning is presented as well as a rationale for treatment based on psychoeducational, cognitive-behavioral, and self-help principles. This paper reviews an experimental program carried out in Israel designed to reach and treat the PTSD couple.