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Cognitive Behavioral Treatments for Adult Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Current Status and Future Directions

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Abstract

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) treatments are currently the gold standard treatment option for adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, many individuals do not experience symptom relief following existing CBT treatments so there has been increasing recognition of the need to evaluate alternative treatment approaches. This article provides an overview of the current status of the two most empirically supported CBT treatments for PTSD (cognitive processing therapy & prolonged exposure therapy) as well as the current status and rationale for more recently developed “3rd wave” (e.g., acceptance and commitment therapy) and transdiagnostic (e.g., Unified Protocol) CBT treatment protocols. Similarities and differences in the theoretical rationales, the structures of treatment, and the current evidence base are highlighted for these four CBT treatments. We conclude by discussing five areas in which additional research is needed to better understand how CBT can most effectively promote recovery for adults with PTSD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD (116B-2), VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02130-4817, USA

    Matthew W. Gallagher

  2. Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA

    Matthew W. Gallagher

  3. Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University, Boston, USA

    Johanna Thompson-Hollands, Michelle L. Bourgeois & Kate H. Bentley

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  1. Matthew W. Gallagher
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  2. Johanna Thompson-Hollands
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  3. Michelle L. Bourgeois
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  4. Kate H. Bentley
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Correspondence to Matthew W. Gallagher.

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Gallagher, M.W., Thompson-Hollands, J., Bourgeois, M.L. et al. Cognitive Behavioral Treatments for Adult Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Current Status and Future Directions. J Contemp Psychother 45, 235–243 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-015-9303-6

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