Therapist rotation: a novel approach for implementation of trauma-focused treatment in post-traumatic stress disorder

• Published in: European journal of psychotraumatology Vol. 9; no. 1; pp. 1492836 - 8
• Main Authors: Van Minnen, Agnes, Hendriks, Lotte, Kleine, Rianne De, Hendriks, Gert-Jan, Verhagen, Marije, De Jongh, Ad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 01.01.2018; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Anxiety; Clinical medicine; Clinical Practice; diseminación; dissemination; EMDR; Exposición Prolongada; eye movement desensitization and reprocessing; Eye movements; Fear & phobias; Health services; implementación; implementation; In therapist rotation, trauma-focused treatment (TFT) is provided by more two or more therapists, who rotate. This study presents a promising new model to enhance implementation of TFT. The model helps therapists to apply TFT more often. Patients experience adequate therapist relationships; intensive treatment; Mental health; Patients; Post traumatic stress disorder; prolonged exposure; Psychotherapy; Relación terapéutica; rotación de terapeutas; Therapeutic relationship; therapist rotation; Therapists; Therapy; tratamiento focalizado en el trauma; tratamiento intensivo; trauma-focused treatment; 以创伤为中心的疗法; 延长暴露; 强化治疗; 治疗关系; 治疗师轮换; United States > US; Therapeutic relationship; eye movement desensitization and reprocessing; intensive treatment; dissemination; therapist rotation; implementation; trauma-focused treatment; In therapist rotation, trauma-focused treatment (TFT) is provided by more two or more therapists, who rotate.• This study presents a promising new model to enhance implementation of TFT.• The model helps therapists to apply TFT more often.• Patients experience adequate therapist relationships; prolonged exposure
• ISSN: 2000-8066; 2000-8066
• DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2018.1492836

Background: Trauma-focused treatments (TFTs) for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are highly effective, yet underused by therapists.Objective: To describe a new way of implementing (adequate use of) TFTs, using a therapist rotation model in which one patient is treated by several therapists.Method: In this article, we will present two examples of working with therapist rotation teams in two treatment settings for TFT of PTSD patients. We explore the experiences with this model from both a therapist and a patient perspective.Results: Our findings were promising in that they suggested that this novel approach reduced the therapists' fear of providing TFT to PTSD patients, increased perceived readiness for TFT, and decreased avoidance behaviour within TFT sessions, possibly leading to better implementation of TFT. In addition, the therapeutic relationship as rated by patients was good, even by patients with insecure attachment styles.Conclusions: We suggest that therapist rotation is a promising novel approach to improve implementation of TFT for PTSD.