Study of Cognitive Processing Therapy and Self-Compassion Therapy for PTSD and Trauma-Related Mental Contamination After Sexual Trauma

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying trauma-related mental contamination, a feeling of internal dirtiness without physical contact, which is linked to posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD after sexual abuse or assault. This research aims to understand how two types of therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy CPT and Self-Compassion Therapy SC, affect PTSD symptoms and mental contamination. The study uses a single case experimental design to explore treatment effects, order of treatments, and maintenance of symptom reduction over time. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a two- or four-week baseline phase with weekly assessments. They will then receive either 12 weekly sessions of CPT or 6 weekly sessions of SC, followed by a three-week return to baseline and then the alternate therapy. Each therapy includes an orientation session, and sessions last about 60-90 minutes. Treatments involve cognitive-behavioral or mindfulness-based strategies, reading manuals, and homework assignments. Therapy sessions may be recorded with consent for quality checks. During the study, participants will complete weekly questionnaires on PTSD symptoms, mental contamination, trauma-related shame, guilt, anxiety, and depression. Assessments include diagnostic interviews, self-report surveys, and satisfaction forms after treatment. Data will be collected electronically or on paper if preferred. The primary outcomes are changes in PTSD symptoms and mental contamination severity measured before, during, between, and after treatments. The total study duration is up to 34 weeks with up to 20 in-person visits.

Healthy Recovery After Trauma Study