PTSD and Enhanced Attention to Threat (2 CE)
Number of Credits: 2
This course is for: Clinical Psychologists, Social Workers, LMFTs, and Counselors
Course By: Tim Grigsby, PhD
Content By: Lazarov, A., Suarez-Jimenez, B., Tamman, A., Falzon, L., Zhu, X., Edmondson, D. E., & Neria, Y. (2019). Attention to threat in posttraumatic stress disorder as indexed by eye-tracking indices: A systematic review. Psychological Medicine, 49(5), 705-726.
Course Description: Existing psychotherapeutic and pharmacotherapeutic have shown relatively weak to moderate effectiveness in the maintenance of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To address this existing gap, researchers have proposed addressing threat-related attentional bias as a potential treatment target for PTSD. A systematic review of experimental studies indicated that certain types of threat attention bias are present in PTSD samples. Modifying attentional processes and reducing sustained attention to threat might possibly lead to reductions in anxiety symptoms following trauma, and more research is needed to develop such interventions.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the importance of assessing threat-related attentional bias in patients with PTSD.
- Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of attentional research paradigms.
- Identify the typologies of threat-related attentional bias that are present in PTSD patients.
- Describe the clinical implications of integrating attention to threat modalities into existing PTSD treatments.
Course Outline:
- Read and understand Attention to threat in posttraumatic stress disorder as indexed by eye-tracking indices: A systematic review.
- Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives.
- Reflect on how attention to threat can be assessed and how this construct informs our understanding of PTSD.
- Work through the post-test questions; keep in mind that answer selections should be derived from the respective article.
- Return to the referenced article for any missed questions and/or to better understand the importance of assessing attention to threat in populations of PTSD patients and its relevance to developing therapeutic interventions.
Approvals:
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Board Approvals | American Psychological Association (APA), Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), NBCC, Florida Board - Social Work, MFT, Counseling, and Psychology, NYSED - Social Work, MFT and Counseling Only, American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders |
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CE Format | Online, Text-Based |