Phase 1

Rationale for Treatment and Education about PTSD and Relationships

Phase 1 serves as a foundation for the treatment as a whole. In this phase, couples are provided with psychoeducation about the reciprocal influences of PTSD symptoms and relationship adjustment, engage in exercises to promote positivity and decrease selective attention to negative relationship behaviors, and learn strategies to facilitate a shared sense of safety such as recognizing early warning signs of anger and time out conflict management strategies.

• Session 1—Introduction to Treatment:
  • Treatment Overview
  • Psychoeducation about PTSD
  • Treatment Rationale for CBCT for PTSD
  • Goal Setting/Treatment Contract
  • Out-of-Session Assignments
  • Check out

• Session 2—Safety Building:
  Watch a role play: Review of Trauma Impact Questions
  • Review Out-of-Session Assignments
    • Review of Trauma Impact Questions (TIQs) #1 and #2
    • Review of Trauma Impact Question (TIQs) Regarding Physical Intimacy
    • Summarizing the TIQs and the Rationale for Retaining Them
  • Trauma Focus and Disclosure
  • Address Negative Behaviors as Barriers to Safety
  • Individual Prevention Strategies: Learning About My Anger
  • Dyadic Intervention Strategy: Time-Out
  • Out-of-Session Assignments
  • Check-out