title: Trauma Informed Guilt Reduction Therapy With Combat Veterans.
abstract: Guilt related to combat trauma is highly prevalent among veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Trauma-related guilt has been associated with increased risk for posttraumatic psychopathology and poorer response to treatment. Trauma Informed Guilt Reduction (TrIGR) therapy is a 4-module cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy designed to reduce guilt related to combat trauma. The goals of this study were to describe the key elements of TrIGR and report results of a pilot study with 10 recently deployed combat veterans. Ten combat veterans referred from a VA Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or mental health clinic completed TrIGR over 4 to 7 sessions. Nine veterans completed the posttreatment assessment. This initial pilot suggests that TrIGR may help to reduce trauma-related guilt severity and associated distress. Changes in trauma-related guilt were highly correlated with reductions in PTSD and depression symptoms over the course of treatment, suggesting a possible mechanistic link with severity of posttraumatic psychopathology. TrIGR warrants further evaluation as an intervention for reducing guilt related to traumatic experiences in combat.
authors.affiliation: VA San Diego Healthcare System, University of California - San Diego, and National Center for PTSD.
authors.forename: Sonya B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.affiliation: San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program.
authors.forename: Kendall C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Wilkins
authors.affiliation: San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program.
authors.forename: Ursula S
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.affiliation: VA San Diego Healthcare System, University of California - San Diego.
authors.forename: Carolyn B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Allard
keywords: PTSD; depression; guilt; psychotherapy; veteran