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Treating posttraumatic stress disorder remotely with cognitive therapy for PTSD
Jennifer Wild1,2, Emma Warnock-Parkes1,2,3, Hannah Murray1,2
1Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
European Journal of Psychotraumatology
|October 8, 2020
Summary
This study outlines how to deliver Cognitive Therapy for PTSD (CT-PTSD) remotely. This approach ensures patients with PTSD can still access evidence-based treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Mental Health
Background:
- Delivering trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT) for PTSD faces challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Therapist-patient in-person contact is limited, restricting trauma-focused work and behavioral experiments.
- Existing online TF-CBT for PTSD is not yet standard in many clinical services, like in the UK.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the remote delivery of Cognitive Therapy for PTSD (CT-PTSD).
- To enable continued access to evidence-based PTSD treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Main Methods:
- Adaptation of Cognitive Therapy for PTSD (CT-PTSD) for remote delivery.
- Utilizing online platforms to overcome limitations of in-person therapy.
Main Results:
- CT-PTSD is an acceptable and effective trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy.
- International guidelines recommend CT-PTSD as a first-line treatment for PTSD.
- Remote delivery allows continued patient benefit from evidence-based PTSD treatment.
Conclusions:
- Remote CT-PTSD delivery is feasible and necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- This adaptation ensures patients with PTSD can receive recommended treatment.
- Facilitates access to effective PTSD interventions when in-person therapy is not possible.
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