Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD: A Brief Treatment Approach for Mental Health Professionals

by Denise M Sloan, Brian P. Marx

This treatment manual provides mental health professionals with instructions for conducting written exposure therapy (WET) with clients who have posttraumatic stress disorder. Authors Denise Sloan and Brian Marx developed WET in response to a growing demand for an effective PTSD treatment that is easier to implement, more affordable, and has lower dropout rates than other trauma interventions. In their unique approach, the client writes about a single traumatic event, and the therapist focuses on the client’s experiences in writing about the trauma, rather than the event itself.  Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD contains a scripted protocol for WET along with detailed clinical guidance for conducting each session. Sloan and Marx answer frequently asked questions from clinicians and review real‑life case examples that demonstrate solutions to common issues and challenges that can occur during WET sessions. They also explain how to assess the client before treatment to determine the appropriateness of WET and during treatment to monitor the client’s progress. Key background information about PTSD symptoms and WET’s theoretical underpinnings are also reviewed.

Genres: Nonfiction

115 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2019

Reviews

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am excited to learn such an effective, brief trauma therapy! I especially appreciated the authors suggestions of how it can be used before or after other treatment for cooccurring disorders. I look forward to being able to offer WET to clients.

[Kelly Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated the straightforward approach to discussion of the research that went into developing this therapy and the simplicity of implementation. I would recommend that any therapists looking to implement this already have a strong background in understanding trauma and being able to offer trauma related coping skills to their clients, as there is minimal discussion of this in the book and may be necessary with more complicated cases. But I am excited to begin offering this to clients as an additional treatment option.

[James Atkison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very different approach to dealing with PTSD. I am looking forward to seeing how quickly clients can improve with brief therapy.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completed this for continuing education credits. It covers the development and efficacy research and instruction on how to implement the intervention. It sounds like a very effective and straightforward treatment approach.

[Johanna]

Underbar i primärvårdskontext! Hade kanske känt mig osäker som behandlare om jag inte lärt mig PE först? Men nu fick jag i stället en boost av att slippa ge alla betungande hemuppgifter.

[Vijay Gopal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a relatively short book that describes a highly effective way to use writing as a way of resolving traumatic issues. It is a brief approach - in 5 sessions of 30 minutes each, clients can experience significant relief from PSTD symptoms. Therapists of any persuasion can use this approach.

It updates James Pennebaker’s work and is built on research the authors have conducted. The authors do a good job of presenting the research without making the text an onerous read. The technique itself is straightforward and there are clear, detailed and structured instructions (provided as handouts) for therapists to use.

Essentially, the technique requires you to write about one traumatic event repeatedly for 5 days. You are encouraged to explore your thoughts and emotions in detail. It finally asks you to look at how the event has shaped you and how you could move forward.

Overall, a clear and well-written book about a simple, effective and brief approach that can help people resolve trauma-related distress.

[Eduardo Lira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una guía dedicada a alumnos que están por egresar y profesionales en el campo laboral sobre una dinámica a mí parecer no tan brusca por el último libro de terapia de exposición que leí jaja, sesiones guía, preguntas frecuentes, casos, posibles contratiempos y sus soluciones y además de que no fue difícil de terminar

[Obnubilación · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, accurate, exact, scientific-based and good for young therapist and even old ones.

It was a recommendation from my teacher and it was amazing!

Totally recommended! I would like to know is there is a protocol like this in Spanish :) or translated, would be helpful.