COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPY FOR PTSD IN RAPE SURVIVORS

A model of cognitive-behavioral treatment for posttraumatic stress dis order (PTSD) in rape survivors is presented. Emotional processing theo ry, which proposes mechanisms that underlie the development of disturb ances following rape, is reviewed. A combination therapy that includes education about common reactions to trauma, relaxation training, imag inal reliving of the rape memory exposure to trauma reminders, and cog nitive restructuring is presented. The case example of a young female rape survivor is described in detail, including her assessments before and after therapy. In this case, issues of prior substance dependence and intense shame and guilt are highlighted. The therapy was successf ul in reducing the client's symptoms of PTSD as well as her depressive symptoms, and these gains were maintained at a 1-year follow-up asses sment. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.