Therapist fidelity with an exposure-based treatment of PTSD in adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

J Clin Psychol. 2010 Apr;66(4):383-93. doi: 10.1002/jclp.20657.

Abstract

This study examined therapists' fidelity to a manualized, multicomponent cognitive-behavioral intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including exposure therapy, among public sector patients with a psychotic disorder. Independent raters assessed therapists' competence and adherence, rating 20% of randomly selected audio taped sessions (n=57 sessions, coded by two raters, with strong interrater agreement). Adherence ratings indicated that therapists complied well with the protocol, and competency ratings typically averaged "very good" or higher (6 on 7-point Likert scale). Findings suggest that therapists can effectively deliver a manualized cognitive-behavioral intervention for PTSD, with exposure therapy, to patients with severe mental illness without compromise to the structure of sessions and/or the therapeutic relationship.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Affective Disorders, Psychotic / complications
  • Affective Disorders, Psychotic / therapy*
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Clinical Competence*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / standards
  • Guideline Adherence / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Psychotherapy, Group
  • Schizophrenia / complications
  • Schizophrenia / therapy*
  • Southeastern United States
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / complications
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy*
  • Tape Recording