Abstract
Renew is an integrative treatment consisting of 210 hours of programming for women Veterans to address sexual trauma, including military sexual trauma. The curriculum consists of a holistic approach to healing and is based on the principles of Holographic Reprocessing. Of the 119 women Veterans enrolled in an uncontrolled outcome study (e.g., completed pre- and post-treatment questionnaires), 80 of the participants reported multiple traumas across their lifespan and 95 experienced military sexual trauma. Of the 112 who started treatment, 97 graduated (13 % dropout rate). Graduates showed a significant reduction in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychiatric symptoms, and posttraumatic negative cognitions (up to 60 % had reliable clinical change at the 95 % confidence interval), and significant increases in self-esteem, optimism, and satisfaction with life with large to moderate effect sizes. These initial data are promising and further research is warranted to test if Renew is effective to treat women Veterans with complex issues including sexual trauma, PTSD, medical problems, chronic pain, and histories of homelessness and substance abuse.
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Acknowledgments
A special thank you to Diane West, RN, PhD and Steven Peck, MSW, for their leadership and contribution from US Veteran’s Initiative-Long Beach (US VETS) and to all the case managers, Kiniko Wilingham, MSW, Roslyn Davis and Dawnita Boulton and the many therapists who helped implement the program. Thank you to the VA Special Needs Grant and Per Diem and VA Long Beach for their generous support of the Renew program.
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Katz, L.S., Cojucar, G., Douglas, S. et al. Renew: An Integrative Psychotherapy Program for Women Veterans with Sexual Trauma. J Contemp Psychother 44, 163–171 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-014-9263-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-014-9263-2