Understanding Emotional Processing in PE Session 1: Discussing the Treatment Rationale with Patients
Associate Vice-Chair of Clinical Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
Director, Emory Healthcare Veterans Program
Director, Emory Trauma and Anxiety Recovery Program
Paul A. Janssen Chair in Neuropsychopharmacology
Key Points
- The rationale is important for getting the patient’s buy-in.
- Avoidance maintains PTSD.
- PE helps through emotional processing, habituation, differentiation, repetition, and increased mastery.
Materials Downloads
Transcript
In this video, we'll continue talking about session 1, the rationale for treatment. In session 1, this is when we present the overall rationale for treatment.
The importance of the rationale has several reasons. One, for treatment credibility. We know that perceived treatment credibility is associated with better PTSD outcome. It's also important for the client agreement. Agreement with the treatment rationale is associated with better outcome in cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Foa, E., Hembree, E. A., Rothbaum, B. O., & Rauch, S. (2019). Prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD: Emotional processing of traumatic experiences - Therapist guide (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press, USA.,Rothbaum, Foa, Hembree, & Rauch (2019). Reclaiming Your Life from a Traumatic Experience: Client workbook, 2nd edition. New York. Oxford University Press, USA.
How do we present the rationale? We want to present the rationale for treatment clearly making sure that the client understands it. Encourage questions from the client and support the rationale with examples, analogies, or metaphors that fit their presentation. It's important for the therapist to demonstrate knowledge about PE and the research literature supporting its efficacy. I think one of the most important points of presenting the rationale is to convey confidence. You want to convey confidence in the treatment and in your patient's ability to use it effectively. This is what they will remember: your confidence that this treatment will help and that they can do it.
Foa, E., Hembree, E. A., Rothbaum, B. O., & Rauch, S. (2019). Prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD: Emotional processing of traumatic experiences - Therapist guide (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press, USA.,Rothbaum, Foa, Hembree, & Rauch (2019). Reclaiming Your Life from a Traumatic Experience: Client workbook, 2nd edition. New York. Oxford University Press, USA.
