[Trauma therapy in crisis and disaster areas--a critical review of standardized interventions such as narrative exposure therapy]

Narrative exposure therapy (NET) applied by Neuner et al. on populations affected by war and natural disaster is compared to research data and intervention strategies developed by others. Questions are raised about the cultural sensitivity of Neuner's diagnostic instruments, the reductionist focus on PTSD which does not sufficiently take into account the complex after effects of trauma and the comprehensive psychosocial needs of affected populations. Currently available data do not yet provide convincing evidence that NET is effective or superior to other intervention strategies.