From the Guidelines
Monthly therapy sessions can be beneficial for preventing PTSD relapse, but the optimal frequency and duration of sessions should be individualized based on the patient's needs and response to treatment. According to the 2023 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense clinical practice guideline, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2024 1, evidence-based therapies for PTSD include prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing psychotherapy. These therapies are typically delivered in a series of sessions, with the frequency and duration tailored to the individual patient's needs.
Key Considerations
- The guideline recommends the use of specific manualized psychotherapies over pharmacotherapy, and secure video teleconferencing can be used to deliver recommended psychotherapy when validated for use with video teleconferencing or when other options are unavailable 1.
- Medications such as paroxetine, sertraline, or venlafaxine may be used in conjunction with therapy, but the guideline recommends against the use of benzodiazepines, cannabis, or cannabis-derived products 1.
- Regular self-monitoring, practicing coping skills, and having a crisis plan are important supplements to therapy sessions.
Individualized Treatment
The effectiveness of monthly therapy sessions for preventing PTSD relapse depends on individual factors, including trauma severity, previous treatment response, and current stressors. A treatment plan that incorporates regular therapy sessions, medication (if necessary), and self-care strategies can help individuals with PTSD manage their symptoms and prevent relapse. The 2023 guideline provides a framework for evidence-based, patient-centered care and shared decision making to optimize individuals' health outcomes and quality of life 1.
From the Research
Therapy Sessions for Preventing PTSD Relapse
- The effectiveness of monthly therapy sessions in preventing PTSD relapse can be inferred from studies on the treatment and management of PTSD.
- Research suggests that psychological treatments, such as eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) and trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT), are effective in reducing PTSD symptoms and improving remission rates 2, 3.
- These therapies have shown sustained effects at 1-4 month follow-up, indicating their potential in preventing relapse 2.
- A systematic review of interventions to prevent PTSD found that brief trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy was more effective than supportive counseling in reducing PTSD symptom severity 4.
- Another study found that EMDR therapy could be a useful psychotherapy to treat trauma-associated symptoms in patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders, and might be useful to improve psychotic or affective symptoms 5.
Frequency of Therapy Sessions
- While the optimal frequency of therapy sessions for preventing PTSD relapse is not explicitly stated in the studies, research suggests that regular sessions can be beneficial in maintaining treatment gains.
- A study on the comparative efficacy and acceptability of pharmaceutical management for adults with PTSD found that medication management could be effective in intervention of PTSD, but patients with different clinical characteristics of PTSD should consider individualized drug management 6.
- The effectiveness of monthly therapy sessions may depend on individual patient needs and circumstances, and further research is needed to determine the optimal frequency and duration of therapy sessions for preventing PTSD relapse.
Key Findings
- EMDR and TF-CBT are effective in reducing PTSD symptoms and improving remission rates 2, 3.
- Brief trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce PTSD symptom severity in people with acute stress disorder 4.
- EMDR therapy can be a useful psychotherapy to treat trauma-associated symptoms in patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders 5.
- Medication management can be effective in intervention of PTSD, but patients with different clinical characteristics of PTSD should consider individualized drug management 6.