Using ACT for treating PTSD

Although VA provides excellent training in evidence-based psychotherapies for PTSD, there are a number of reasons to offer alternatives. This live research-based virtual conference provides health care teams with alternative perspectives on certain Veteran conditions. First, some clients need preparation for exposure. Second, exposure treatments often have high dropout rates or refusal to participate. Finally, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is comorbid with a number of other disorders and life problems such as relationship problems. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) offers an alternative to repeated trauma exposure without first building the foundation that allows that exposure to be successful. ACT also focuses on values based living, creating opportunities to address other problems the PTSD client might face. Training in ACT for PTSD is not always easy to access. This training will assist clinicians finding ways to treat trauma clients from a broader perspective.