Actively Recruiting
Healthy Recovery After Trauma Study: Evaluating Cognitive Processing Therapy and Self-Compassion Therapy for PTSD and Trauma-Related Mental Contamination
Led by Christal L Badour · Updated on 2025-11-10
12
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
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.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Healthy Recovery After Trauma Study
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Individuals with a history of sexual trauma meeting past-month diagnostic criteria for PTSD
- Score of 36 or higher on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
- Current experiences of trauma-related mental contamination with a score of 10 or higher on the Posttraumatic Experience of Mental Contamination (PEMC)
- 18 years of age or older
- Fluent in English
- Patients on stable doses of psychotropic medications for at least 4 weeks before the study and willing to maintain stable doses during the study
- Willing to refrain from additional trauma-related treatment during the study period
You will not qualify if you...
- Diagnosis of psychotic disorders
- Diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder
- Unmanaged bipolar disorder (unmedicated or currently manic/hypomanic)
- Diagnosis of bulimia nervosa
- Diagnosis of anorexia nervosa
- Imminent risk of suicide with intent or plan
- Severe substance use disorders
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (phone screening) and 1 intake visit (in-person or via Zoom)
Duration - 2 or 4 weeks depending on randomization
Participants complete weekly assessments without treatment to track symptoms and functioning.
Weekly visits for assessments (in-person or via Zoom)
Duration - 1 session
Participants attend an orientation session to build rapport and review traumatic experiences before starting therapy.
1 visit (in-person or via Zoom)
Duration - 12 weekly sessions for CPT and 6 weekly sessions for SC, with a 3-week return to baseline between treatments
Participants receive either 12 sessions of Cognitive Processing Therapy or 6 sessions of Self-Compassion Therapy, followed by the alternate therapy after a return to baseline period.
Weekly therapy sessions totaling up to 18 sessions plus additional assessment visits
Duration - Up to 4 weeks
Participants complete post-treatment questionnaires and continue weekly symptom tracking for 3 weeks after the second treatment.
Weekly visits for assessments
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Kentucky Clinic for Emotional Health (CEH)
Lexington, Kentucky, United States, 40504
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
C
Christal L Badour, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
4
Similar Trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here