Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gbm5v Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-22T08:25:37.306Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Cognitive processing therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in a University Counselling Center: an outcome study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 December 2017

Charity Wilkinson ,
Meghan von Linden ,
Annmarie Wacha-Montes ,
Craig Bryan  and
Katherine O'Leary
Charity Wilkinson*
Affiliation:
Stress and Anxiety Services of NJ, East Brunswick, NJ, USA Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Meghan von Linden
Affiliation:
VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA Resick Consulting
Annmarie Wacha-Montes
Affiliation:
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Craig Bryan
Affiliation:
National Center for Veterans Studies University of Utah
Katherine O'Leary
Affiliation:
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
*
*Author for correspondence: Charity Wilkinson, Stress and Anxiety Services of NJ, A-2 Brier Hill Court, East Brunswick, NJ, USA. E-mail: wilkinson.charity@gmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

More than half of college students endorse experiencing at least one traumatic event. Consistent with other populations, the rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for college students has been reported at around 12%. Despite this, empirically supported treatments for PTSD have not been widely disseminated in University Counselling Centers (UCCs). This study examines outcomes using cognitive processing therapy (CPT) with a sample of n = 26 college students in a UCC setting. This study also examines therapist experience, length of degree and symptom severity on outcome. After completing training, n = 8 therapists completed CPT consultation and certification. Students who participated in individual CPT during this process were administered the PCL-5 and PHQ-9 at weekly sessions. A retrospective chart review was completed. PCL-5 and PHQ-9 scores were separately examined as outcome variables using linear mixed models where session, therapist experience, length of therapist degree, and severity of symptoms were included as fixed effects, and subjects were assumed to have a random effect. Significant reductions in PCL-5 and PHQ-9 scores were observed across treatment. In this sample, 84.6% of students were treatment responders. Results were unchanged when adjusting for therapist level of experience or training. CPT shows strong potential for UCC settings. CPT can be successfully implemented with novice therapists.

Keywords

CPTPTSDUCCtrauma
Type
Original Research
Information
the Cognitive Behaviour Therapist , Volume 10 , 2017 , e20
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

‡

Author's present address: Katherine O'Leary, Shore Neuropsychology and Behavioral Health.

References

Recommended follow-up reading

Bass, JK, Annan, J, Murray, SM, Kaysen, D, Griffiths, S et al. (2013). Controlled trial of psychotherapy for Congolese survivors of sexual violence. New England Journal of Medicine, 368, 2182–2191.Google Scholar
Galovski, TE, Bain, LM, Mott, JM, Elwood, L, Houle, T (2012). Manualized therapy for PTSD: flexing the structure of cognitive processing therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 80, 968–981.Google Scholar

References

American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5 (5th edition). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association.Google Scholar
Anders, SL, Frazier, PA, Shallcross, SL (2012). Prevalence and effects of life event exposure among undergraduate and community college students. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 59, 449–457. doi: 10.1080/15299732.2012.642744 Google Scholar
Bass, JK, Annan, J, Murray, SM, Kaysen, D, Griffiths, S, Cetinoglu, T et al. (2013). Controlled trial of psychotherapy for Congolese survivors of sexual violence. New England Journal of Medicine 368, 2182–2191. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa121185 Google Scholar
Blevins, CA, Weathers, FW, Davis, MT, Witte, TK, Domino, JL (2015). The Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5): development and initial psychometric evaluation. Journal of Traumatic Stress 28, 489–498. doi: 10.1002/jts.22059 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Boyraz, G, Granda, R, Baker, CN, Tidwell, LL, Waits, B (2016). Posttraumatic stress, effort regulation, and academic outcomes among college students: a longitudinal study. Journal of Counseling Psychology 63, 475–486. doi: 10.1037/cou0000102 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chard, KM (2005). An evaluation of cognitive processing therapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder related to childhood sexual abuse. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 73, 965–971. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.73.5.965 Google Scholar
Cook, JM, Dinnen, S, Coyne, JC, Thompson, R, Simiola, V, Ruzek, J, Schnurr, PP (2015). Evaluation of an implementation model: a national investigation of VA residential programs. Administration Policy Mental Health 42, 147–156. doi: 10.1007/s10488-014-0555-3 Google Scholar
Forbes, D, Lloyd, D, Nixon, RD, Elliott, P, Varker, T, Perry, D et al. (2012). A multisite randomized controlled effectiveness trial of cognitive processing therapy for military-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Anxiety Disorders 26, 442–452. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2012.01.006 Google Scholar
Fortney, JC, Curran, GM, Hunt, JB, Cheney, AM, Lu, L, Valenstein, M, Eisenberg, D (2015). Prevalence of probable mental disorders and help-seeking behaviors among veteran and non-veteran community college students. General Hospital Psychiatry 38, 99–104. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2015.09.007 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Galovski, TE, Bain, LM, Mott, JM, Elwood, L, Houle, T (2012). Manualized therapy for PTSD: flexing the structure of cognitive processing therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 80, 968–981. doi: 10.1037/a0030600 Google Scholar
Kraft, DP (2011). One hundred years of college mental health. Journal of American College Health 59 (6).Google Scholar
Kroenke, K, Spitzer, RL, Williams, JB (2001). The PHQ-9 validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine 16, 606–613. doi: 10.1046/j.1525-1497. 2001.016009606.x Google Scholar
Maieritsch, KP, Smith, TL, Hessinger, JD, Ahearn, EP, Eickhoff, JC, Zhao, Q (2016). Randomized controlled equivalence trial comparing videoconference and in person delivery of cognitive processing therapy for PTSD. Journal of Telemed Telecare 22, 238–243.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Monson, CM, Schnurr, PP, Resick, PA, Friedman, MJ, Young-Xu, Y, Stevens, SP (2006). Cognitive processing therapy for veterans with military-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 74, 898–907. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.74.5.898 Google Scholar
Morland, LA, Mackintosh, M, Greene, CJ, Rosen, CS, Chard, KM, Resick, P, Frueh, BC (2014). Cognitive processing therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder delivered to rural veterans via telemental health: a randomized non-inferiority clinical trial. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 75, 470–476. doi: 10.4088/JCP.13m08842 Google Scholar
Novotney, A (2014). Students under pressure: college and university counseling centers are examining how best to serve the growing number of students seeking their services. Monitor on Psychology 45, 36.Google Scholar
Read, JP, Ouimette, P, White, J, Colder, C, Farrow, S (2011). Rate of DSM-IV-TR trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder among newly matriculated college students. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy 3, 148–156. doi: 10.1037/a0021260 Google Scholar
Resick, PA, Galovski, TE, Uhlmansiek, M, Scher, CD, Clum, GA, Young-Xu, Y (2008). A randomized clinical trial to dismantle components of cognitive processing therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder in female victims of interpersonal violence. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76, 243–258. doi: 10.1037/0022-006x.76.2.243 Google Scholar
Resick, PA, Monson, CM, Chard, K (2014). Cognitive Processing Therapy Veteran/Military Version: Therapist's Manual. Washington, DC: Department of Veterans Affairs.Google Scholar
Resick, PA, Monson, CM, Chard, K (2017). Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD: a Comprehensive Manual. Guilford Press, New York.Google Scholar
Resick, PA, Nishith, P, Weaver, TL, Astin, MC, Feuer, CA (2002). A comparison of cognitive-processing therapy with prolonged exposure and a waiting condition for the treatment of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder in female rape victims. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 70, 867–879. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.70.4.867 Google Scholar
Resick, PA, Schnicke, MK (1992). Cognitive processing therapy for sexual assault victims. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 60, 748–756. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.60.5.748 Google Scholar
Resick, PA, Schuster-Wachen, J, Dondanville, KA, Pruiksma, KE, Yarvis, JS, Peterson, AL, Mintz, J and the STRONG STAR Consortium (2017). Effect of group vs individual cognitive processing therapy in Active-Duty Military seeking treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry 74, 28–36. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.2729 Google Scholar
Resick, PA, Wachen, JS, Mintz, J, Young-McCaughan, S, Roache, JD, Borah, AM, Peterson, AL and the STRONG STAR Consortium (2015). A randomized clinical trial of group cognitive processing therapy compared to group present centered therapy for PTSD among active duty personnel. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 83, 1058–1068. doi: 10.1037/ccp0000016 Google Scholar
Van Brunt, B and the ACCA PAPA Committee (2010). The preparation and role of college counselors. The American Counseling Association, Professional Counseling Digest, retrieved from: https://www.counseling.org/resources/library/ACA%20Digests/ACAPCD-36.pdf (accessed 16 August 2017).Google Scholar
Wachen, JS, Dondanville, KA, Pruiksma, KE, Molino, A, Carson CS Blankenship, AE et al. (2015). Implementing cognitive processing therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder with active duty US military personnel: special considerations and case examples. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice 23, 133–147. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2015.08.007 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Watson, J (2013). The changing face of college counseling: New services for a new campus population. Journal of College Counseling 16, 99–101.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Weathers, FW, Litz, BT, Keane, TM, Palmieri, PA, Marx, BP, Schnurr, PP (2013). The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Scale available from the National Center for PTSD at: www.ptsd.va.gov Google Scholar
Wilkinson, CB, Infantolino, ZP, Wacha-Montes, A (2017). Evidence-based practice as a potential solution to burnout in university counseling center clinicians. Psychological Services 14, 543–548.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.