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Article
Acceptance and commitment therapy for PTSD and trauma: An empirical review.
The Behavior Therapist
  • Ron C. Bean, Utah State University
  • Clarissa W. Ong, Utah State University
  • Jason Lee, Utah State University
  • Michael P. Twohig, Utah State University
Document Type
Article
Publisher
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
Publication Date
4-1-2017
Abstract

Many treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including variants of cognitive behavior therapy, have been found to be effective in clinical trials. However, even with these useful treatment options PTSD continues to be a difficult disorder to treat. A possible alternative treatment is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which has demonstrated effectiveness across a variety of presenting problems, including PTSD and trauma. This article summarizes the existing data on ACT for PTSD and trauma and discusses its clinical implications. The present review included data from case studies, single-subject designs, and randomized controlled trials. Overall, the extant literature suggests that ACT has potential as a treatment option for PTSD and trauma, but that much more research is needed.

Journal Article Version
Accepted Manuscript
Citation Information
Bean, Ron C., Ong, Clarissa W., Lee, Jason, and Twohig, Michael P. "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for PTSD and Trauma: An Empirical Review." The Behavior Therapist, vol. 40, no. 4, 2017, pp. 145-150