THE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING-MODEL AS A CONCEPTUAL-FRAMEWORK FOR THE TREATMENT OF POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

A consensus regarding the necessary phases of healing and treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is gradually emerging (Horowitz , 1986, McCann & Pearlman, 1990; Wilson, 1989). Treating PTSD requires utilizing techniques and interventions stemming from a wide range of therapeutic models (Schwarz & Prout, 1991). Each model tends to emphas ize different aspects of the healing process, ranging from focused exp loration of intrusive thoughts and feelings (Kohut, 1977) to aerobic e xercise (Stoyva & Anderson, 1982). An integrative approach to treating PTSD which embraces this divergence while maintaining a cohesive conc eptual framework presents a challenge to practitioners. Kolb's (1984) Experiential Learning Model is offered as an heuristic view of both th e healing process and the selection of treatment interventions.