Participants are randomly assigned to either 16 sessions of Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy (Gersons et al. (2000) Journal Trauma Stress 13: 333-348), comprising psychoeducation, exposure, mementos and writing assignments, domain of meaning and integration, farewell ritual, or a minimal attention control group that will be offered 16 sessions of BEP after a waiting time of four months. Participants in the minimal attention control group receive monthly telephone calls and complete a symptom self monitoring diary (Tarrier, N. et al. (1999) Behavior Therapy 30: 597-605) for three weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clear memory of an "index" traumatic event (sufficient for constructing a scene to be used in exposure) that occurred no less than six months prior to entering the trial (Montgomery and Bech 2000)
• PTSD according to the DSM-IV, related to the index traumatic event, as measured with the CAPS: frequency ≥ 1 and intensity ≥ 2 for a symptom to be counted plus a minimum level of overall severity ≥ 50
• Not receiving other psychotherapy for PTSD during the 16 weeks of active treatment; psychotherapy for other problems, brief check-ins with an existing therapist, and attendance at self-help groups will be allowed
• If on psychoactive medication: on a stable medication regimen for a minimum of two months prior to entering the trial
• Aged between 18 and 70 years
• Sufficient proficiency in the German language to participate in BEP
• Consent to be randomized into the trial

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current psychotic, bipolar, substance-related, or severe personality disorder
• Current severe depressive disorder
• Severe cognitive impairment or a history of organic mental disorder
• Evidence of PTSD or depression immediately prior to the index trauma
• Ongoing threat of traumatic exposure
• Prominent current suicidal or homicidal ideation
• Asylum seeking status