Description
Written Exposure Therapy (WET) is a brief, 5-session exposure-based psychotherapy for PTSD that is recommended by the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline. WET differs from other trauma-focused psychotherapies in its cost-efficiency and low treatment drop out.
This course reviews the theoretical mechanisms and development of WET, presenting the supporting and on-going research for WET as an evidence-based treatment for PTSD. The authors provide a comprehensive description of the WET protocol and its delivery and describe the type of patient who would be a good candidate.
Goals and Objectives
- Describe PTSD treatment
- Discuss WET development
- Describe on-going and future-planned WET studies
- Identify appropriate patients for WET
Find a Therapist
Available en Español
Good treatments for PTSD are available. Here are some suggestions for finding a therapist, counselor, or mental health care provider who can help your recovery.
Things to Consider
- If you are a Veteran, see Help for Veterans.
- Make sure the provider has experience treating people who have been through a trauma.
- Try to find a provider who focuses on evidence-based medications for PTSD or effective talk therapy for PTSD, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
- Find out what type(s) of insurance the provider accepts and what you will have to pay (out-of-pocket costs) for care.
- You may find more than one therapist. Learn about Types of Therapists.
First steps
- Contact your family doctor to ask for a recommendation. Or, ask friends and family if they can recommend a therapist.
- If you have health insurance, call to find out which mental health providers your insurance company will cover. Your insurance company may require that you choose a provider from among a list they maintain.
Finding a Provider Using the Internet
These resources can help you locate a therapist, counselor, or mental health provider who is right for you. Note: These resources can be used by anyone, and if you are a Veteran, see the “Help for Veterans” section below.
- Sidran Institute Help Desk
will help you find therapists who specialize in trauma treatment. Email or call the Help Desk at (410) 825-8888. - Anxiety and Depression Association of America offers a therapist search by location and mental health disorder. Call (240) 485-1011 or email.
- EMDR International Association has a locator that lists EMDR providers.
- ISTSS Clinician Directory is a service provided by the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) that lets you consider many factors in searching for a clinician, counselor, or mental health professional.
- American Psychological Association has a Psychologist Locator that allows you to search by location, specialty, insurance accepted, and gender of provider.
- Psychology Today offers a therapist directory by location. You can also find treatment centers.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a Behavioral Health Services Locator by location and type of facility (inpatient, outpatient, residential). Call for assistance 24 hours a day 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
GET HELP FOR PTSD
If you need help right away:
- Call 1-800-273-8255
Press “1” if you are a Veteran. - Chat online with a counselor
- Call 911 or visit a local emergency room
Resource: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/gethelp/find_therapist.asp
