Daring to process the trauma: using a web-based training to reduce psychotherapists' fears and reservations around implementing trauma-focused therapy. Issue 1 (31st December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sansen, Lisa M.; Saupe, Laura B.; Steidl, Annika; Fegert, Jörg M.; Hoffmann, Ulrike; Neuner, Frank
• Is Part Of: European journal of psychotraumatology. Volume 10:Issue 1(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12-31
• Subjects: Posttraumatic stress disorder -- PTSD -- trauma-focused therapy -- web-based training -- evidence-based trauma therapy -- e-learning -- online course; Trastorno de estres postraumatico -- TEPT -- terapia centrada en el trauma -- entrenamiento basado en la web -- terapia de trauma basada en la evidencia -- e-learning -- curso por internet; 创伤后应激障碍 -- PTSD -- 创伤聚焦疗法 -- 网络培训 -- 循证创伤治疗 -- 在线学习 -- 网络课程; Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Periodicals; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 616.8521
• DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2019.1696590
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2000-8198

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Although trauma-focused interventions are the first-line therapies for patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), they are not frequently used in clinical practice. Factors preventing therapists from applying trauma-focused methods include a lack of training and negative attitudes towards trauma-focused therapy. The aim of the present study was to investigate which factors predict willingness to carry out trauma-focused therapy and to examine whether a web-based training is able to reduce negative attitudes and reservations about these interventions. In a wait-list controlled evaluation study, therapists ( N = 499) were randomized into an intervention or a wait-list control group. Results show that trauma-treatment specific competencies and overcoming pre-existing concerns towards trauma-focused therapy significantly predict therapists' willingness to utilize trauma-focused interventions. Thus, the content alignment of the web-based course is appropriate for improving therapists' willingness to conduct trauma-focused therapy. A retrospective examination of therapists after the training and a comparison of fears and reservations before and after the training demonstrate a significant reduction of fears and reservations. In terms of perceived contraindications, no effects of the web-based training were found. The present study provides compelling evidence that web-based training in evidence-based PTSD therapy is able to reduce reservations that may prevent therapists from applying evidence-based trauma-focused interventions. HIGHLIGHTS: Web-based training in trauma therapy increases therapists' knowledge and skills. leads to a modification of negative attitudes preventing therapists from applying trauma-focused interventions. improves the willingness to conduct trauma-focused therapy.