Blended Delivery of Imagery Rescripting for Childhood PTSD: A Case Study During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

  • Nathan Bachrach Orcid
    Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands; GGZ Oost Brabant, Boekel, The Netherlands; RINO Zuid, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
  • Sanja Giesen
    GGZ Oost Brabant, Boekel, The Netherlands
  • Arnoud Arntz Orcid
    Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Abstract

Background: Despite the growing evidence that trauma-focused treatments can be applied as first-line approaches for individuals with childhood trauma-related PTSD (Ch-PTSD), many therapists are still reluctant to provide trauma-focused treatments as a first-choice intervention for individuals with Ch-PTSD, especially by telehealth. The current manuscript will therefore give an overview of the evidence for the effectiveness of trauma-focused therapies for individuals with Ch-PTSD, the delivery of trauma-focused treatments via telehealth, and a case example on how a specific form of trauma focused therapy: Imagery Rescripting (ImRs) can be applied by telehealth. Method: This article presents a clinical illustration of a blended telehealth trajectory of imagery rescripting (ImRs) Ch-PTSD delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The presented case shows that ImRs can be safely and effectively performed by telehealth for ch-PTSD, no stabilization phase was needed and only seven sessions were needed to drastically reduce Ch-PTSD and depressive symptoms, and to increase quality of life. Conclusion: This case report shows the effectiveness of ImRs by telehealth for Ch-PTSD, which gives hope and additional possibilities to reach out to patients with ch-PTDS. Telehealth treatment might have some of advantages for specific patients, especially, but certainly not only, during the pandemic.