Integrating Collaborative/Therapeutic Assessment Of Interpersonal Functioning Into Group Therapy For Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) constitute a common problem among U.S. military veterans. Several empirically supported interventions exist, have been validated for use with veterans diagnosed with PTSD, and have been modified for group format to increase accessibility. However, current theoretical and empirical literature on PTSD and its treatment primarily focus on the diagnostic symptoms of PTSD rather than the interpersonal problems that may be central to the disorder. In this article, we provide preliminary evidence evaluating a new group therapy protocol that addresses interpersonal problems in a sample of veterans seeking treatment for PTSD symptoms (N = 14). Results of a paired t test estimated within a Bayesian model comparison framework indicated that veterans who participated in this group therapy protocol had a medium-sized (d = .43) and clinically significant reduction in PTSD symptoms. Findings highlight the potential utility of implementing such groups for veterans with PTSD symptoms, as well as promising directions for future research.