Testing Body-Oriented Psychotherapy Versus Psychoeducation for Adults With a History of Child Maltreatment and Trauma Symptoms Evaluating Safety, Feasibility, Acceptability, and Early Effects

What this Trial Is About

This research investigates the safety, feasibility, acceptability, and early effects of a body-oriented psychotherapy called Somatic Experiencing SE on social functioning and mental health. It focuses on adults with a history of child maltreatment who have symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD or complex PTSD CPTSD. The study aims to explore how SE might improve psychological safety, social safeness, and reduce symptoms related to trauma, depression, and body awareness issues. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups an SE group or a control group. The SE group receives psychoeducation plus 15 sessions of SE therapy conducted by certified therapists, focusing on trauma and related symptoms. The control group receives psychoeducation and information about treatment options along with regular phone calls for updates and support. The study includes pre-treatment, post-treatment 20 weeks after starting, and follow-up assessments 20 weeks after treatment ends. Participants will complete self-report questionnaires and take part in experimental tasks measuring behavioral and physiological responses to social stimuli, such as facial expressions and interpersonal distance. Researchers will assess psychological safety as the primary outcome, along with social safeness, PTSD symptoms, depression, and other factors. Safety monitoring includes tracking adverse events and serious adverse events throughout the study. Participants experiences and treatment adherence will be evaluated, and results will inform future research directions.

Body-oriented Psychotherapy for Individuals With a History of Child Maltreatment and Trauma-related Symptoms