Archive for the ‘Post-Traumatic Stress & Military Service’ Category

CBT for Soldiers: A personal message to professionals from Drs. Aaron and Judith Beck

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Dear Colleagues,

We are trying to address a very serious problem: military personnel who need effective psychological/psychiatric treatment but who are not receiving it. To address this urgent problem, we have embarked upon a new initiative to offer partial scholarships to our Cognitive Behavior Therapy training programs for mental health professionals who treat soldiers, veterans, and their families (www.cbtforsoldiers.org).

Cognitive ehavior therapy (CBT) has been demonstrated in hundreds of controlled trials worldwide to be effective for a wide range of problems, including depression, suicide, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and many more.

The non-profit Beck Institute in suburban Philadelphia is recognized as one of the premiere training sites for this kind of psychotherapy. The application of cognitive therapy to the needs of our military veterans is clear. The RAND Corporation conducted a study for the military on Predicting the Consequences of PTSD, Depression and Traumatic Brain Injury. One of the study’s summary conclusions is that the capacity to provide evidence-based psychotherapies for PTSD and major depression (for example, CBT) would be important in closing the treatment gap.

We would like to bring our expertise to mental health professionals who treat soldiers, veterans, and their families. Please visit www.cbtforsoldiers.org.

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Posted in Aaron T. Beck, Anxiety, Beck Institute, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Therapists, Cognitive Therapy, Cognitive Therapy Training for Professionals, Depression, Judith S. Beck, Military issues, Post-Traumatic Stress, Post-Traumatic Stress & Military Service, Suicide, Training | No Comments »

Cognitive Therapy is Helping Veterans

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

Guest Blogger: John Milwee, Psy.D., Veterans Administration therapist and Beck Institute alumnus

Veterans returning from the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq may face many challenges as they begin to reintegrate into their roles as parents, employees, friends, and neighbors. In recent months a great deal of media attention has been focused on those returning Veterans who suffer with symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) associated with their combat experience. Alarming statistics are frequently reported that describe the number of these Veterans who, when untreated, commit suicide. (more…)

Posted in BI Blog Info, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, Military issues, Post-Traumatic Stress & Military Service, Suicide | 1 Comment »

Older Veterans with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Helped by CBT

Friday, March 27th, 2009

NewStudy-Graphic-72x72_edited-3Medscape: According to a pilot study presented at the Anxiety Disorders Association of America 2009 Annual Conference, older veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related symptoms of depression and anxiety – which can persist for decades – may benefit from prolonged exposure therapy (a form of cognitive behavioral therapy). Twelve sessions included “in vivo experience, in which patients are exposed to fears out in the world, and imaginary exposure.”

Measures of efficacy included a Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS); after treatment, patients showed a significant reduction in mean CAPS score and 75% no longer met PTSD criteria. Patients showed clinical improvement in most PTSD symptoms along with individual symptoms of avoidance and hyperarousal. Additionally, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and other measures showed “clinically significant improvement in both depression and anxiety.” The study author noted that after the treatment, the men were able to “do things they hadn’t done in years.”

These findings are particularly promising because they call into question the “dogma” that older adults cannot tolerate or could be harmed by exposure therapy.

According to the study author, “There are lots of people with PTSD who fought in prior wars or who have the condition for other reasons, who have pushed it aside and coped pretty well throughout their lives. Then a spouse dies, they retire or become medically ill, and their PTSD is something they no longer can put aside, and they need help. We need to know how to treat these people.”

The author is planning a randomized clinical trial in 100 older adults with PTSD.

Study author: S. R. Thorp

Posted in Cognitive Therapy, Military issues, Post-Traumatic Stress & Military Service | No Comments »

Veterans with Post-traumatic Stress rate effectiveness of CBT when delivered remotely and in person

Monday, February 18th, 2008

A recent study in Behavior Modification evaluated ratings submitted by veterans who were receiving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) via different delivery modes for post-traumatic stress disorder. The ratings measured competency and adherence to the CBT model when administering CBT through either telepsychiatric or same-room approaches. In telepsychiatry, a therapist and client communicate through resources such as the telephone and the Internet. It can also incorporate video-conferencing technology via satellite for real-time consultation in two different parts of the world. The researchers’ findings suggest that therapist competence and adherence to the CBT model is similar whether the treatment is delivered through telepsychiatry or conventional methods.

Study authors: B. C. Frueh, J. Monnier, A. L. Grubaugh, J. D. Elhai, E. Yim, R. Knapp

Posted in BI Blog Info, Post-Traumatic Stress & Military Service | No Comments »

Internet-based CBT helps service members with post-traumatic stress

Monday, December 24th, 2007

A recent study in the American Journal of Psychiatry reviews therapist-assisted, Internet-based, self-management cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for sevice members with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This protocol was compared with Internet-based supportive counseling for PTSD. Both groups used websites, homework assignments, and educational information concerning PTSD. The authors found that the CBT protocol led to “sharper declines in daily log-on ratings of PTSD symptoms and global depression” in addition to other symptom reduction; these improvements were also noted at 6 months. The authors state that this protocol “may be a way of delivering effective treatment to large numbers with unmet needs and barriers to care.”

Study authors: B. T. Litz, C. C. Engel, R. A. Bryant, A. Papa  

Posted in CT in the News, Cognitive Therapy, Post-Traumatic Stress & Military Service | No Comments »

Women War Vets with PTSD improve through CBT

Wednesday, March 7th, 2007

In the U.S., post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is more prevalent among women than men, and is especially prevalent among women in the military. This February 28th JAMA study is the first to examine PTSD treatment for this population - female veterans and women in active duty. (more…)

Posted in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Post-Traumatic Stress & Military Service, Research Results | 3 Comments »