title: Cognitive Processing Therapy for Acute Stress Disorder Resulting From an Anti-Gay Assault.
abstract: This case study describes Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) with a 30-year-old gay man with symptoms of acute stress disorder (ASD) following a recent homophobic assault. Treatment addressed assault-related posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and depressive symptoms. Also addressed were low self-esteem, helplessness, and high degrees of internalized homophobia. Client symptomatology was tracked using the PTSD Symptom Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory over the course of 12 sessions and for a 3-month posttermination session. Symptoms were significantly reduced by the end of the 12-week therapy and were maintained at 3-month follow-up. This case highlights the utility of this therapy in targeting both ASD symptoms and internalized homophobia relating to experiencing a hate crime-related assault. The authors elaborate on theoretical and applied issues in adapting a structured cognitive-behavioral intervention to the treatment of ASD symptoms associated with experiencing a hate crime.
authors.affiliation: Center for Trauma Recovery, University of Missouri-St. Louis.
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kaysen
authors.forename: Ty W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Lostutter
authors.forename: Marie A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Goines