Intensive, Multi-couple Group Treatment

This chapter describes an intensive couple-based intervention for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Intensive formats can potentially capitalize on the momentum afforded by more frequent or extended sessions to facilitate change in a shorter period of time. These formats decrease dropout from therapy and are attracting increased attention as the empirical benefits of “massed” treatment relative to standard weekly or bi-weekly therapy are becoming clearer. Treating multiple couples at once also increases the potential scalability of the intervention. This chapter focuses on a couple-based “retreat-style” intervention delivered in a multi-couple group format for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder and their partners and includes a case vignette to illustrate the clinical approach.