Traumatic events, including sexual abuse, experiencing or witnessing violence, and natural disasters, are common among adolescents. A significant number of adolescents go on to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can have a severe negative impact on well-being and functioning. These adolescents require professional help to free themselves of PTSD symptoms and reclaim their lives. This therapist guide presents a proven treatment for PTSD that has been adapted for the adolescent population. The program applies the principles of Prolonged Exposure (PE) to help adolescents emotionally process their traumatic experiences. A four-phase treatment, adolescents complete each module at their own rate of progress. The pre-treatment preparation phase includes modules on motivational interviewing and case management. During the first treatment phase, modules cover the rationale for treatment, information-gathering about the trauma, and common reactions to trauma. Modules in the next phase, exposures, comprise the core of the treatment. By systematically confronting situations associated with the trauma, adolescents overcome avoidance and fear. Recounting the memory of the traumatic event helps adolescents distinguish the past from the present and promotes feelings of mastery. The final phase involves modules on relapse prevention and treatment termination. This therapist guide considers the adolescent's age and developmental level and includes developmentally appropriate materials. It offers additional guidance on tailoring the treatment to each client's unique situation, including trauma type and family structure. Handouts for parents are provided in an appendix. The corresponding teen workbook contains information on each module and forms for adolescent use. Comprehensive and effective, this program is an invaluable contribution to the treatment of adolescents with PTSD.

About the Author
Edna B. Foa is affiliated with the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania. Kelly R. Chrestman is affiliated with the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania.

Reviews
"This is a well developed, thorough protocol for the treatment of PTSD in adolescent victims of trauma...As expected from these authors, the program is well grounded in empirically supported methods of trauma exposure...The manual is developmentally sensitive and provides guidance for the therapist in working with adolescents. There are excellent handouts and case examples throughout the manual." --Anne Marie Albano, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute "For readers with a background in CBT and PE therapy, this is a quick reference that guides them in the adaptation of PE therapy for PTSD to an adolescent population. It is a worthwhile purchase along with the workbook, but will not be helpful for therapists wanting to learn PE therapy."--Doody's Health Sciences Review



Book Information
ISBN 9780195331745
Author Edna B. Foa
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 386g
Dimensions(mm) 175mm * 246mm * 15mm