Meredith S. H. Landy

A randomized controlled dismantling trial of post-workshop consultation strategies to increase effectiveness and fidelity to an evidence-based psychotherapy for Posttraumatic stress disorder

BackgroundPosttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition with substantial costs to individuals and society. Among military veterans, the lifetime prevalence of PTSD has been estimated to be as high as 20%. Numerous research studies have demonstrated that short-term cognitive-behavioral psychotherapies, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), lead to substantial and sustained improvements in PTSD symptoms. Despite known benefits, only a minority of clinicians provide these therapies. Transferring this research knowledge into clinical settings remains one of the largest hurdles to improving the health of veterans with PTSD. Attending a workshop alone is insufficient to promote adequate knowledge transfer and sustained skill; however, relatively little research has been conducted to identify effective post-training support strategies.MethodsThe current study investigates whether clinicians receiving post-workshop support (six-month duration) will deliver CPT with greater fidelity (i.e., psychotherapy adherence and competence) and have improved patient outcomes compared with clinicians receiving no formal post-workshop support. The study conditions are: technology-enhanced group tele-consultation; standard group tele-consultation; and fidelity assessment with no consultation. The primary outcome is independent assessment (via audio-recordings) of the clinicians’ adherence and competence in delivering CPT. The secondary outcome is observed changes in patient symptoms during and following treatment as a function of clinician fidelity. Post-consultation interviews with clinicians will help identify facilitators and barriers to psychotherapy skill acquisition. The study results will inform how best to implement and transfer evidence-based psychotherapy (e.g., CPT) to clinical settings to attain comparable outcomes to those observed in research settings.DiscussionFindings will deepen our understanding of how much and what type of support is needed following a workshop to help clinicians become proficient in delivering a new protocol. Several influences on clinician learning and patient outcomes will be discussed. An evidence-based model of clinical consultation will be developed, with the ultimate goal of informing policy and influencing best practice in clinical consultation.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01861769

Examining the Evidence for Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as a Clinical Diagnosis

This article examines the evidence for complex posttraumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) as a clinical diagnosis distinct from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A brief overview of the history of the debate surrounding C-PTSD is presented. The construct validity of C-PTSD is evaluated, and the overlap among C-PTSD, PTSD, and borderline personality disorder is explored. The extent to which existing PTSD treatments reduce symptoms of C-PTSD is discussed, and the treatment outcome data underlying proposed C-PTSD treatment guidelines are reviewed. The authors explore the C-PTSD debate in light of the recent release of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed., American Psychiatric Association, 2013), which did not include C-PTSD as a diagnosis, and the proposed changes to the forthcoming International Classification of Diseases (11th revision), which is expected to include C-PTSD as a diagnosis (see Maercker et al., 2013). The authors maintain there is insufficient evidence to warrant the addition of a C-PTSD diagnosis or the dissemination of treatment guidelines for C-PTSD.

A realist review of brief interventions for alcohol misuse delivered in emergency departments

BackgroundBrief interventions (BIs) involve screening for alcohol misuse and providing feedback to patients about their use, with the aim of reducing alcohol consumption and related consequences. BIs have been implemented in various healthcare settings, including emergency departments (ED), where they have been found to contribute mixed results in their ability to address alcohol misuse among adults. Mechanisms through which BIs work and contextual factors impacting BI effectiveness are not clear. The purpose of this review was to understand how, for whom, and under what circumstances BIs work for adults misusing alcohol and who have been admitted to an ED. A realist review was chosen to answer these questions as realist reviews create context-mechanism-outcome configurations, leading to the development of comprehensive and detailed theories; in this case explaining how and for whom BIs work.MethodsDatabases including PsycINFO, Healthstar, CINAHL, Medline, and Nursing and Allied Health were searched for articles published until December 2013. The search strategy focused on studies examining BIs that targeted alcohol misuse among adults admitted into the ED. The search identified 145 relevant abstracts, of which 36 were included in the review. The literature was synthesized qualitatively (immersion/crystallization).ResultsFour mechanisms were found within reviewed studies, including engagement in/retention of BI materials, resolving ambivalence, increased awareness/insight into consequences of drinking, and increased self-efficacy/empowerment to use skills for change. The following contexts were found to impact mechanisms: emotional state, injury attributed to alcohol use, severity of alcohol use, and baseline stage of change.ConclusionsThis realist review provides advances in theories regarding which mechanisms to target during a BI and which contexts create the most favorable conditions for these mechanisms to occur, ultimately leading to optimal BI outcomes. These results can inform future clinical decision-making when delivering BIs in ED settings. Future research should conduct quantitative examination to confirm these findings.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42013006549.

An Uncontrolled Trial of a Present-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

OBJECTIVE The efficacy of a present-focused version of cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (CBCT for PTSD) was examined in a community sample. METHOD Seven couples completed pretreatment assessments, including measures of clinician-, self- and partner-rated PTSD symptoms and relationship satisfaction. Six couples completed present-focused CBCT for PTSD and all posttreatment assessments. A seventh couple terminated their relationship prior to completing treatment; therefore, they completed posttreatment symptom measures, but not ratings of relationship satisfaction. RESULTS Results revealed significant decreases in PTSD symptoms that were associated with medium-to-large effect sizes. Medium effect sizes for changes in relationship satisfaction were found, though were only significant for partners. CONCLUSION Results from this pilot study suggest that present-focused CBCT for PTSD may be a promising alternative for individuals who are unwilling to engage in a trauma-focused treatment.

A Pilot Study of the Effects of Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on Parenting

Parental posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with parenting difficulties. Cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD (CBCT for PTSD) improves PTSD symptoms, relationship adjustment, and partners’ mental health functioning. However, the impact of CBCT for PTSD on parenting competency is unknown. In this pilot study, the effects of CBCT for PTSD on parenting competency were investigated in 14 individuals (6 patients with PTSD and 8 partners) who had children under age 18. Results suggested that most participants perceived themselves as competent in their parenting prior to treatment, and some enhancements in competency occurred following CBCT for PTSD. Moreover, changes in parenting competency were associated with improvements in patient-rated PTSD. Adjunctive interventions targeting parenting and goals for future research are discussed.

A randomized controlled effectiveness trial of training strategies in cognitive processing therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: Impact on patient outcomes

This randomized controlled hybrid implementation/effectiveness trial aimed to compare the impact of three different models of training and consultation by examining the PTSD treatment outcomes achieved by therapists who were learning a front-line recommended psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT; Resick, Monson, & Chard, 2017). Therapists (N = 134) were randomized into one of three conditions after attending a standard CPT training workshop: No Consultation with delayed feedback on CPT fidelity, Standard Consultation involving discussion and conceptualization of cases without session audio review, and Consultation Including Audio Review, which included a review of segments of audiorecorded CPT sessions. Across all training conditions, the patients treated by these therapists (N = 188) evidenced statistically significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, (d = -0.95 to -1.78), comorbid symptoms and functioning (d = -0.27 to -0.51). However, patients of therapists in the Standard Consultation condition (ΔPTSD = - 19.64, d = -1.78) experienced significantly greater improvement than those in the No Consultation condition (ΔPTSD = - 10.54, d = -0.95, ΔDEV = 6.30, ΔParms = 2, p = .043). This study demonstrates that patients who receive evidence-based psychotherapy for PTSD in routine care settings can experience significant symptom improvement. Our findings also suggest that to maximize patient benefit, therapist training should include consultation, but that audio review of sessions during consultation may not be necessary, at least for structured protocols. Implications for implementation, including the reduction of burden and cost of post-workshop support, are discussed.

Conjoint Therapy for Individual Psychopathology

The current article examines conjoint treatment of individual psychopathology. The article highlights the impact that psychological functioning has on relationships, and discusses the role relationships can have in exacerbating and ameliorating psychological symptoms. The article provides an overview of conjoint therapy for several disorders (e.g., depression, alcohol use, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and anorexia), and uses two treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder as key examples.