ENHANCING PTG IN A COUPLE’S PTSD INTERVENTION: Clients’ and Therapists’ Successes and Challenges

Rachel Dekel, Yael Shoval-Zuckerman

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The literature documents an association between reduced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and increased posttraumatic growth (PTG) in individual PTSD interventions. However, knowledge is limited about factors that promote the effectiveness of PTSD therapies in facilitating PTG in couples and how the idea and implementation of PTG develop throughout the intervention. In the current chapter, we present a qualitative analysis of manifestations of PTG in a cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy (CBCT) clinic in Israel, specifically, the expressions that couples used in talking about PTG, and the challenges faced by both therapists and couples in conceptualizing and promoting PTG. Three main PTG changes emerged in the self, in relation to others, and in life paths and priorities. In addition, the role of the partners in validating and identifying PTG or, alternatively, as impeding PTG, was documented. Lastly, the challenges of both clients and therapists in terms of processing PTG alongside PTSD are described. and we explore the steps that therapists and supervisors must take in order to promote PTG in PTSD interventions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Routledge International Handbook of Posttraumatic Growth
Pages517-526
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9781000991215
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2023

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Psychology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'ENHANCING PTG IN A COUPLE’S PTSD INTERVENTION: Clients’ and Therapists’ Successes and Challenges'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this