PTSD Interventions
Our lab is committed to developing clinically-relevant, original research, as well as the use of evidence-based knowledge translation strategies to disseminate our findings.
Although recruitment for our PTSD trials have come to a close for now, if you’re interested in learning more about our treatment studies please find more information below. Check in here for updates about when recruitment will resume or contact the research coordinator at 416-979-5000 ext. 552369 or email us at impact.lab@torontomu.ca. For additional information and other ongoing treatment studies you can click on “Be a participant in a research study.”
Open Recruitment Trial of Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy
The purpose of this treatment trial is two-fold: to decrease individual PTSD symptoms, as well as enhance relationships.
Individuals will either receive Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), a specific type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that has been effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD that have developed after experiencing a variety of traumatic events including, child abuse, combat, rape and natural disasters.
The other treatment option is Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT), a dyadic treatment that involves two people in an intimate or non-intimate relationship. While treating PTSD, it has the benefit of simultaneously improving relationship functioning and the health and well-being of close significant others’ PTSD.
To participate in this trial, participants must currently reside in Ontario, Canada.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a cognitive-behavioral therapy (treatment that focuses on thoughts and feelings) for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, and related conditions. PTSD can develop when an individual experiences a traumatic event such as physical and sexual abuse or assault, accidents, threats, military combat, or being a witness to violence or death. CPT focuses on the connections between thoughts, feelings, behavior and bodily sensations. CPT is an evidenced based therapy which means that it has been proven to be effective through rigorous scientific research.
CPT provides a way to understand why recovery from traumatic events is difficult and how symptoms of PTSD affect daily life. The focus is on identifying how traumatic experiences change thoughts and beliefs, and how thoughts influence current feelings and behaviors. An important part of the treatment is addressing ways of thinking that might keep individuals “stuck” and get in the way of recovery from symptoms of PTSD and other problems.
For more information on Cognitive Processing Therapy please click here.
Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CBCT for PTSD) is a manualized therapy with the simultaneous goals of improving individual PTSD and enhancing intimate relationship functioning.
CBCT for PTSD improves the interpersonal environment in which people exist on a day-to-day basis and capitalizes on the support of their significant relationships while they endeavor PTSD treatment. In this way, CBCT for PTSD:
- Helps improve relationship issues we know so often co-occur with PTSD and
- Capitalizes on the relationship to make each individual better.