Time perspective therapy: Transforming Zimbardo’s temporal theory into clinical practice

Abstract

Based on Zimbardo’s Temporal Theory, Time Perspective Therapy (TPT) was developed by Richard and Rosemary Sword as a new therapeutic clinical skill as described in The Time Cure (Zimbardo et al., The time cure: Overcoming PTSD with the new psychology of time perspective therapy. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, 2012) A 4 year pilot study which evaluated the effectiveness of TPT by following 29 veterans clinically diagnosed with chronic and severe PTSD indicates long-lasting decreases of self-reported depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms. In addition, participants reported affirmative shifts in their time perspectives that trended towards the healthier ideal. The importance of the ZTPI as a groundbreaking tool in determining clinical evaluations and change, as well as two actual case studies are detailed in this chapter.