'Undoing a knot': a qualitative study of massed 1-week Cognitive Processing Therapy

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Intensive Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) shows promise for reducing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
• Qualitative research systematically evaluating client perspectives on massed PTSD treatments is limited.
• Understanding patient experiences with intensive therapy is crucial for treatment optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore trauma survivors' reflections on completing a 1-week intensive CPT program.
• To gain insights into the feasibility and impact of massed CPT from the client's perspective.
• To identify key themes related to the therapeutic process and outcomes of intensive CPT.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven trauma survivors.
• Interviews occurred within three months of completing a 1-week intensive CPT program.
• The scissor-and-sort technique was employed for qualitative data analysis to identify themes.

Main Results:

• Five primary themes emerged: tangible skills, feasibility, therapeutic process, symptom presentation, and treatment expectations.
• Participants reflected on the acquisition of practical coping mechanisms.
• The intensive format was perceived as feasible, with reported changes in PTSD symptoms and coping abilities.

Conclusions:

• One-week intensive CPT is a feasible treatment for PTSD.
• The massed CPT approach facilitates changes in PTSD symptom presentation.
• Clients develop improved cognitive and affective coping skills through intensive CPT.