Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after exposure to trauma and is associated with intrusions of the trauma memory, arousal, reactivity, and avoidance symptoms, along with negative alterations in cognitions and mood. PTSD is a debilitating, and often chronic, disorder responsible for significant individual and societal costs. The gold standard treatment for PTSD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which includes four primary components: (a) psychoeducation, (b) anxiety management, (c) exposure, and (d) cognitive restructuring. Two specific interventions, prolonged exposure (PE) and cognitive processing therapy (CPT), have the most research support and can dramatically reduce PTSD symptoms, ameliorate the impact of comorbid mental health problems, and improve quality of life. Although CBT is the first-line treatment for PTSD, psychopharmacological interventions, particularly serotonin-targeting medications, are also helpful as adjunctive treatments for PTSD. The efficacy of CBT is well established, yet many individuals fail to access or complete these treatments. Given the impact of PTSD and its associated disability and cost, continued efforts are needed to ensure that these treatments are disseminated to individuals in need and to maximize engagement in these treatments.