Advocates of Research-Supported Treatments for PTSD are Losing in Lots of Ways: What Are We Going to Do About It?

Abstract

Most individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) do not receive science-based treatment. This is a massive problem and the systems and individuals best able to address it misunderstand key components of the problem. Advocates of Research Supported Treatments (ARSTs) have substantial influence/authority in federal agencies, university settings, and medical centers and limited influence/authority with the public at large and with many providers, especially those in private practice settings. Figures such as Bessel van der Kolk and Peter Levine, who are not consistently science-based, have limited influence in government and research settings and enormous influence with the public and many individual providers. We see such figures as a main contributor to the problem. We consider four responses, (1) ARST collective action, (2) aim to reduce influence of non-ARSTs, (3) dialogue with non-ARSTs, and (4) maintain current practices. We argue for prioritizing ARST collective action. This could increase usage of high-quality PTSD treatment.