Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Postdisaster Distress
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Postdisaster Distress (CBT-PD) is a treatment we developed specifically for survivors of major disasters. Originally created for use after the September 11th 2001 attack on the World Trade Center, it has since been used with survivors of the 2004 Florida hurricanes and Hurricane Katrina.
Our preliminary research shows that the treatment is effective in reducing distress. In the current study we will compare CBT-PD to the treatment most people would get in the community after a disaster, a single education session to learn about common postdisaster reactions and what services are available in the community. Our aim is to test if CBT-PD works better than an educational session at decreasing symptoms of postdisaster distress.
Study Protocol
In this study we will identify disaster survivors with postdisaster distress who wish to receive treatment. Survivors will be randomly assigned to receive either CBT-PD or the single education session. CBT-PD, is a manualized, 10-session intervention that has a primary focus on identifying and challenging maladaptive disaster-related beliefs.
The intervention is divided into three main sections: psychoeducation, coping skills, and cognitive restructuring. Clients receive a workbook and complete assignments to reinforce the skills they have learned in session. Education for Postdisaster Distress is a manualized, single-session intervention designed to help disaster survivors understand their postdisaster symptoms.
Everyone will be assessed at the beginning and end of treatment. We will measure symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and functioning.