Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy for PTSD

Abstract

Brief eclectic psychotherapy for PTSD (BEPP), developed during the 1980s and 1990s of the last century, has proven to be as effective as other trauma-focused treatment. What makes BEPP special is that it is a comprehensive treatment especially developed for PTSD in which effective elements from various psychotherapy schools have been integrated into a logical sequence. In contrast to other trauma-focused treatments, BEPP focuses on the expression of strong emotions like sorrow and anger which stem from the traumatic event and on learning from the way the event has changed someone's life. Some trauma-focused treatments disregard that the losses of trauma bring forth a lasting change and therefore seem to give the message that the patient will be the same as before the trauma, whereas the message in BEPP is that one becomes "sadder and wiser" and finds a new equilibrium with the surrounding world. BEPP is structured and delivered in 16 sessions. This chapter starts with the theoretical underpinnings of BEPP, followed by a description of the protocol which is illustrated with a case description and special challenges. The next part is devoted to the scientific evidence of BEPP treatment. This chapter ends with conclusions and practical suggestions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)