Trial of Art Therapy During Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD

Randomized, Controlled Trial of Art Therapy During Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD

This is a randomized, controlled trial of adjunctive art therapy during cognitive processing therapy for PTSD.

The objective of this study is to examine the effects of art therapy with combat veterans who have PTSD and to measure if it reduces symptoms more than verbal Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) alone. This study will incorporate art processes and materials into an already established protocol of CPT in order to create a sense of safety for veterans in beginning therapy, and access the nonverbal parts of the trauma in order to process it. Art-making will be used to help veterans address trauma and integrate who they were before the trauma with who they are currently. It will assist in addressing the grief and loss caused by combat, and will be used as veterans begin building a worldview and self-concept that are not filled with trauma and war. It is hypothesized that the veterans who receive art therapy with CPT will show a significantly greater decrease in PTSD symptoms than those who receive only CPT.

Inclusion Criteria:

• PCL-M initial score >= 50;
• Both genders,
• All ethnicities,
• Veterans in treatment for PTSD,

Exclusion Criteria:

• No active substance use disorder,
• No active suicidal or homicidal ideation,
• No psychosis