Lifespan Integration for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder From an Auto Accident

Lifespan Integration Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder of Adults Involved in an Auto Accident

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if lifespan integration (LI) therapy reduces posttraumatic stress symptoms following a motor vehicle accident (MVA) trauma

Studies estimate a substantial proportion of MVA survivors, ranging from 9.4% to 59.9%, will develop PTSD following an accident (Blanchard & Hickling, 2004). Based on conservative estimates, past research, indicates that MVA-related PTSD may affect 2.5 to 7 million persons in the United States (Blanchard & Hickling). Furthermore, two seminal epidemiological studies (Kessler et al., 1995; Norris, 1992) that focused on causes of adult PTSD identified MVAs as the most frequent trauma resulting in PTSD. For these reasons, MVA-resultant PTSD represents a significant public health problem that needs not only to be thoroughly understood, but addressed with successful mental health treatment options (Beck & Coffey, 2007; Blanchard & Hickling, 1997, 2004; Bryant et al., 1998; Taylor et al., 1999; Taylor et al., 2001). Although there is empirical literature on the treatment of PTSD following an MVA, additional efficacious and rigorously conducted studies with statistical underpinnings are required to determine the results that can be expected from alternative models of care (Beck & Coffey; Blanchard & Hickling, 1997, 2004).

LI treatment guides the client to imaginally visit past memories, and then leads her or him forward through time to the present using a concept referred to as the time line. Beginning with the individual's memories from the traumatic experience, the time line first follows memories from the days and weeks after the trauma, then season by season to the present, and is reviewed in ongoing sessions as increasing details of the traumatic event are uncovered.

Participants selected for the control group will be treated 4 weeks following initial contact. Treatment is the same as for the Experimental Group.

Participants will be assessed with the CAPS following the final treatment session (up to 5 treatment sessions).

Inclusion Criteria: Involved in or witnessed a car accident at least 6 months ago. PTSD or distress or impairment in important areas of functioning following the car accident Exclusion Criteria: moderate or severe head injury current mental health treatment for the MVA-related problem severe chronic pre-injury mental health problems

Pace, P. (2007). Lifespan integration: Connecting ego states through time (fourth ed.). Roslyn, WA: Peggy Pace.