From the Guidelines
Booster sessions for Big T trauma therapy are crucial for maintaining therapeutic gains and preventing relapse, and should be scheduled every 3-6 months following completion of initial treatment. These sessions help reinforce coping skills and process any new trauma-related concerns, and their frequency can be adjusted based on individual needs, such as during periods of increased stress or when trauma symptoms resurface 1. The ideal format for booster sessions should mirror the original therapy approach, whether it was trauma-focused cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), or EMDR, and may include reviewing trauma narratives, practicing exposure exercises, or reinforcing cognitive restructuring techniques as appropriate 1.
When considering the implementation of booster sessions, it's essential to prioritize the individual's specific needs and circumstances. For instance, if an individual has a history of severe trauma, more frequent booster sessions may be necessary to prevent relapse 1. On the other hand, if an individual has made significant progress in their initial treatment, less frequent booster sessions may be sufficient 1.
Some key points to consider when implementing booster sessions include:
- Scheduling booster sessions every 3-6 months following completion of initial treatment
- Adjusting the frequency of booster sessions based on individual needs and circumstances
- Mirroring the original therapy approach in the booster sessions
- Including a review of trauma narratives, exposure exercises, or cognitive restructuring techniques as appropriate
- Prioritizing the individual's specific needs and circumstances when determining the frequency and content of booster sessions 1.
From the Research
Big T Trauma Therapy Booster Sessions
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to support the use of booster sessions in Big T trauma therapy.
- However, studies have compared the efficacy of different therapies, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- These studies suggest that EMDR and CBT are both effective in reducing PTSD symptoms, with some studies indicating that EMDR may be more effective in reducing post-traumatic symptoms and anxiety 2, 6.
- The use of booster sessions may be beneficial in maintaining treatment gains, but further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of booster sessions in Big T trauma therapy.
Comparison of Therapies
- EMDR and CBT have been compared in several studies, with mixed results:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis found that EMDR was slightly superior to CBT in reducing PTSD symptoms 6.
- A randomized controlled trial found that EMDR and CBT were equally effective in reducing PTSD symptoms in children and adolescents 4.
- Another study found that EMDR and CBT were both effective in reducing PTSD symptoms, but EMDR may be more suitable for patients with prominent intrusion or arousal symptoms 6.