CDP Presents: Present-Centered Therapy for PTSD

Present-Centered Therapy (PCT) is a manualized time-limited treatment for PTSD that focuses on increasing adaptive responses to current life stressors and difficulties that are related directly or indirectly to trauma or PTSD symptoms.  PCT was developed as a non-specific comparison treatment for PTSD in order to control for the benefits of therapeutic elements that are present in psychotherapy more generally, to allow conclusions about the effects of the unique interventions in trauma-focused therapy in clinical trials.  Although trauma-focused treatment has the strongest evidence base as a treatment for PTSD, evidence has emerged showing that PCT is an effective alternative.  For example, the 2017 Practice Guideline produced by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense recommends PCT among the options to offer a patient if trauma-focused therapy is not available or is declined.  PCT has not been widely used outside of research, however, and neither the rationale nor the protocol are widely understood.   This presentation will help bridge that gap by providing information about the development of PCT, the evidence showing its effectiveness, key components, and considerations for use of PCT in clinical practice.

Target Audience: For behavioral health/healthcare providers who treat military personnel, veterans, and their families.

Instructional Level: Introductory

Learning Objectives

1.     Assess the rationale for the development of Present-Centered Therapy

2.     Evaluate the evidence base for Present-Centered Therapy

3.     Appraise the core elements of Present-Centered Therapy

This activity is approved for 1.5 continuing education credits (CEs)

The Center for Deployment Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Center for Deployment Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content.