Posttraumatic Stress Clinic

Am I eligible for the CPT Flexible Choice trial?

To be eligible for the trial, we require you to:

• be over 18 years of age
• have been directly or indirectly exposed to a traumatic event at any age (e.g., assault, motor vehicle accident, child trauma etc.)
• have experienced the trauma(s) at least four weeks ago
• meet full PTSD or subthreshold PTSD, or Complex PTSD (symptoms include but are not limited to: distressing and unwanted memories, avoiding thoughts, feelings and reminders of the trauma, having strong- negative thoughts such as self-blame, and feeling alert, unsafe or having problems with sleep, anger or concentration)
• have access to the internet

If you are uncertain about being eligible for the trial, please contact us for further information.

What does the CPT Flexible Choice trial involve?

If you choose to take part in the study, you will initially undergo a phone screening to determine your eligibility to participate. Following confirmation of your eligibility, you will be interviewed by a registered or provisional psychologist, and you will also be asked to complete questionnaires about your life experiences and symptoms.

The research study uses a design where participants choose the format of therapy they will receive. The therapy options are four different formats of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). CPT is a standard therapy for treating posttraumatic stress and involves looking at how your beliefs about the trauma may affect your recovery. The therapy helps you develop different ways of thinking to help you recover from your symptoms. CPT has been shown to be effective in treating posttraumatic stress in many studies. CPT is a recommended evidence-based treatment for PTSD in Australian and International guidelines.

The four formats for receiving therapy in this study include: (1) self-help CPT, (2) guided self-help CPT, (3) CPT over 8 sessions [CPT-8], and (4) CPT over 12 sessions [CPT-12].

• In format (1), self-help, you will receive a self-help manual that guides you through weekly exercises to complete it and you will complete a brief weekly questionnaire to check your progress. It is anticipated it will take approximately 12- weeks to complete.
• In format (2), guided self-help, you will be given weekly modules and exercises and receive weekly feedback via email on your progress and exercises.
• Format (3) and (4) consist of weekly 60 minutes sessions either face-to-face or via telehealth.

Therapy in (2), (3), and (4) (guided self-help CPT, CPT-8, CPT-12) will be conducted by a provisional psychologist. As a part of the current study, in consultation with your therapist, you can choose during therapy to move to another format (e.g., to move from guided self-help to CPT-8, or move from CPT-12 down to CPT-8).

After therapy you will participate in two more assessments (interview and completing questionnaires). These assessments will occur immediately after therapy and then at 3-months after therapy to monitor your progress.

No costs are associated with participating in this trial, nor will you be paid.

What are the benefits?

Although we cannot predict whether you will benefit from the treatment offered to you in this trial, people who have received similar therapies in the past have reported to have gained at least some benefit. It is hoped that the information gathered in this research will help increase understanding of the best ways to offer treatment to individuals who have been traumatised.

Who is conducting the CPT Flexible Choice trial?

The study is being conducted by Professor Reg Nixon and Ms Olivia Waring (provisional psychologist and Masters student) from Flinders University. It is funded, in part, by the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work at Flinders University.

What makes an adolescent eligible?

To be eligible for the trial, we require:

• Adolescents aged between 13-18 years of age.
• Have been directly or indirectly exposed to a traumatic event at any age (e.g., assault, motor vehicle accident, major injury etc.)
• Have experienced the trauma(s) at least four weeks ago
• Have a carer/guardian willing/able to attend therapy sessions with the adolescent at Flinders University Bedford Park campus.
• Adolescents not receiving psychological or psychiatric treatment for trauma and sleep symptoms elsewhere for the duration of the trial.

If you are uncertain about being eligible for the trial, please contact us (@CHATTS@flinders.edu.au) for further information
 

What does CHATTS involve?

This trial involves FREE, CBT-based therapy that targets posttraumatic stress and associated sleep symptoms in adolescents. Sessions are in-person, and involve:

• 1x initial session
• 10x therapy sessions
• 1x 3-month follow-up session
• Provision of questionnaires and technology to assist in tracking posttraumatic stress and sleep symptoms over treatment.

What are the benefits?

This trial seeks to combine two evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress (TF-CBT) for the first time. Although we cannot predict whether your adolescent will benefit from the treatment offered in this study, young people and their parents who have received similar therapies in the past have reported to have gained at least some benefit.

In addition, the knowledge gained in this research will help us to provide better services for adolescents who experience difficulties after a traumatic event. At the 3-month follow-up interview, we can discuss possible referrals for additional therapy if you believe this may be helpful. 

Who is conducting this trial?

The study is being conducted by Professor Reg Nixon (Clinical Psychologist), Ms Darah-Bree Bensen-Boakes (General Psychologist) and Miss Alice Bowie (provisional psychologist and PhD candidate) from Flinders University. It is funded, in part, by the Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation.