Treatment of PTSD in children using cognitive behavioral writing therapy:
An open trial

The current study is a pilot study on the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral writing therapy on the computer for children with type 1 and type 2 PTSD.

The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral writing therapy on the reduction of PTSD and associated symptoms

- Pretest

- Posttest (directly after treatment)

- Follow-up 6 months

Our study has an uncontrolled pre-post-follow-up design (6 months). Just before treatment the pre-test takes place, directly after treatment the post-test and 6 months after the end of treatment the follow-up is conducted. The treatment is cognitive behavioral writing therapy and follows an extensive manual (Lucassen & Van der Oord, 2006). The most important elements of the treatment are psycho-education, exposure, cognitive restructuring, promoting adequte coping, and social sharing. Children write together with the therapist a report of the trauma on the computer during the weekly 1 hour treatment session. Treatment length is variable, thus the therapy ends when a complete detailed written account is made of the traumatic experience.