Randomized controlled trial of cognitive behaviour therapy for reduction of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in emergency service personnel

INTERVENTION: Cognitive behaviour therapy with long prolonged exposure (CBT/Long) involves 12 once‐weekly 90‐minute sessions of individual therapy over 12 weeks. The therapy includes 4 sessions of emotion regulation skills training, 6 sessions of cognitive reframing and reliving trauma memories (for 40 minutes duration) and reappraisal of beliefs about traumatic experiences, and 1 sessions of relapse prevention. CONDITION: Posttraumatic stress disorder PRIMARY OUTCOME: Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms assessed by the Clinician‐Administered Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Scale SECONDARY OUTCOME: Alcohol use as assessed by the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT). Depression measured by the Beck Depression Inventory Functional impairment as measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life scale. Posttraumatic appraisals as measured by the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory. INCLUSION CRITERIA: (1) Active or retired emergency service personnel (including police, firefighter, paramedic), (2) exposure to trauma, (3) meet criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder