Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Adolescents with PTSD Therapist Guide

Traumatic events, including sexual abuse, experiencing or witnessing violence, and natural disasters, are common among adolescents, and this online therapist guide presents a proven treatment for PTSD that has been adapted for the adolescent population. It applies the principles of Prolonged Exposure (PE) to help adolescents emotionally process their traumatic experiences and follows a four-phase treatment where the patients complete each module at their own rate of progress. It includes modules on motivational interviewing, case management, the rationale for treatment, information-gathering about the trauma, common reactions to trauma, and explains that by systematically confronting situations associated with the trauma, adolescents can overcome avoidance and fear. It covers how memory of the traumatic event can help distinguish the past from the present and promote feelings of mastery, and also includes modules on relapse prevention and treatment termination. It covers the importance of the adolescent's age and developmental level while in therapy, and includes developmentally appropriate materials and guidance on tailoring the treatment to each client's unique situation, including trauma type and family structure.