PTSD TREATMENT SERIES (5 CE)

Course overview

This course consists of a series of five audio PowerPoint presentations narrated by leading experts in the field of PTSD treatment. Segment 1: Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions for PTSD By Josef I. Ruzek, Ph.D., National Center for PTSD Description: This presentation provides an overview of cognitive-behavioral interventions for PTSD. It describes some basic aspects of CBT, outlines cognitive-behavioral theories of PTSD, discusses key trauma-focused CBT interventions (Therapeutic Exposure and Cognitive Therapy), and provides some tips for using CBT to encourage behavior change. Learning Objectives: 1. Evaluate the key elements of 4 major cognitive-behavioral theories of PTSD 2. Gain knowledge of the procedures to administering therapeutic exposure 3. Delineate concrete ways of increasing compliance with between-session task assignments and reducing treatment dropout Segment 2: Neurobiology and Pharmacotherapy for PTSD By Matthew J. Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., National Center for PTSD Description: This presentation provides a background for understanding the effects of combat stress/trauma on the human physiological stress systems and provides an overview of pharmacological treatments and mechanisms of action. Learning Objectives: 1. Define the major components of the human stress system 2. Evaluate their implications in the development and treatment of PTSD and other combat-stress reactions 3. Delineate the major neurotransmitters and pathways (such as norepinephrine, serotonin, GABA, glutamate) 4. Evaluate their implications in the development and treatment of PTSD 5. Assess the major pharmacological interventions and their likely mechanisms of action in the care of clients with PTSD/combat stress reactions Segment 3: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Abuse By Robyn D. Walser, Ph.D., National Center for PTSD Description: This presentation provides a background for understanding comorbid PTSD and substance abuse. It provides an overview of practice guidelines, assessment, and treatment issues related to this dual diagnosis. Learning Objectives: 1. Assess the complexity of the interaction and rates of PTSD and its comorbidity with substance abuse 2. Implement current practice guidelines and assessment issues related to PTSD and substance use 3. Delineate treatment goals and problems when working with this dually diagnosed population Segment 4: Group Therapy for PTSD By Shirley M. Glynn, Ph.D., VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System at West Los Angeles, and Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA Description: The goal of this presentation is to provide an overview of the group treatment for PTSD, including research on the intervention, types of groups (brief psychoeducational/skills based vs. more intensive), staging and pacing of progress through groups, and the rationale and core components of trauma focus and present-centered group therapy. Learning Objectives: 1. Evaluate the rationale for and the core components of Trauma Focus Group Treatment (TFGT) for PTSD 2. Define the rationale and core components of Present Centered Group Treatment (PCGT) for PTSD 3. Delineate the key considerations for the appropriate staging and pacing of group PTSD treatments Segment 5: Overcoming Barriers to PTSD Treatment Engagement By By Ronald Murphy, Ph.D. (Bowdoin College) and Craig Rosen, Ph.D. (National Center For PTSD and Stanford University School of Medicine) Description: The goal of this presentation is to introduce clinicians to common barriers to treatment engagement and some motivational techniques to address those barriers. Learning Objectives: 1. Delineate reasons why patients may be reluctant to change long-standing behaviors