Special Topics in PE: The Assessment Phase of Treatment

Date:  Monday, September 23, 2024

Time:  9:00am to 5:00pm EST

Cost:  $450.00 per person

Location:  Webinar (you will be sent meeting information and instructions via email the day prior to the workshop)

Workshop Description: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder involving development of disturbing and distressing symptoms after exposure to a traumatic event and is associated with considerable functional impairment and comorbidity. Early detection of PTSD constitutes the first crucial step in addressing and ameliorating the increased risks associated with development of PTSD, requiring adequate screening and diagnostic tools for PTSD. Given high rates of trauma exposure worldwide, psychometrically sound assessment of PTSD diagnosis and symptom severity using current conceptualizations of the disorder is vital.

This workshop will introduce participants to the DSM-5 definition of a traumatic event, review the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, and discuss differential diagnosis as well as prevalence, comorbidity, and risk factor data. Participants will also be introduced to the Posttraumatic Stress Scale for DSM-5 (Interview version –PSSI-5) as well as the PTSD Diagnostic Scale for DSM-5 (PDS-5), a self-report measure of PTSD symptoms. Administration of the PSSI-5 and PDS-5 will be covered in detail and participants will rate a sample PSSI-5 and discuss the scoring rationale for the sample administration.

Other considerations for appropriateness of PTSD cases for treatment by Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD, including presence of comorbid diagnoses, lack of memory of trauma, suicidality, non-suicidal self-injury, and environmental risk will also be discussed.

CE Learning Objectives

At the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

  • Identify different types of criterion A traumas
  • Describe the diagnosis and psychopathology of PTSD
  • Discuss the relationship of PTSD to common comorbid problems (i.e. substance use/abuse, depression)
  • Outline best practices for assessing trauma and PTSD in adults
  • Administer the PSSI-5 and PDS-5 in a standardized way
  • Score and interpret the PSSI-5 and PDS-5
  • Identify individuals who are appropriate for treatment with PE

About the Presenter

Dr. Sandy Capaldi, joined the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety in 2007, and is currently the Center's Associate Director & Director of Implementation. Dr. Capaldi completed her undergraduate degree in psychology at Temple University and received a master of arts degree in clinical psychology at MCP Hahnemann University. She went on to receive a master of science degree and to complete her doctoral studies in clinical psychology at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

Dr. Capaldi is a licensed clinical psychologist who has a variety of clinical experiences with patient populations ranging from children to older adults. She specializes in Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) for PTSD, Exposure and Response Prevention (EX/RP) for OCD, and cognitive-behavioral treatment for trichotillomania, excoriation disorder, social anxiety, panic disorder, specific phobias, and generalized anxiety.

Target Audience

This presentation is intended for mental health professionals, researchers, and graduate students. The instructional level of this presentation is intermediate and formal training in PTSD assessment is not required of attendees.

Continuing Education

THE PHILADELPHIA BEHAVIOR THERAPY ASSOCIATION (PBTA) IS APPROVED BY THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION TO SPONSOR CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS.  PBTA MAINTAINS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROGRAM AND ITS CONTENT.  THIS PRESENTATION PROVIDES SIX (6) HOURS OF CE CREDITS FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS.

PBTA IS ALSO AN AUTHORIZED PROVIDER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS FOR PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS, AND CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS LICENSED IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA - THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES SIX (6) HOURS OF CE CREDITS. 

In order to receive continuing education credits, participants must:

  • attend each hour of the workshop (no late arrivals or early departures)
  • complete a course evaluation

If both of these requirements are met, you will receive a continuing education certificate after the conclusion of the workshop.

Instructions for Registration

Registrations are due one week in advance and must be completed in full. 

To register, complete the online registration.

If you need to withdraw your application for any reason, please email Dr. Sandy Capaldi. Note that workshop fees are non-refundable after the application due date (one week before the start of the workshop). 

 

Webinar workshop requirements:

  • You must have utilities, internet service, phone service, and an appropriately private location at your home or office in order to ensure HIPAA compliance.
    • The private location should be free of noise and distractions. (If you are the parent of young children, appropriate child care arrangements must be in place.)
  • You must agree to attend each hour of the video conference and agree to use video of yourself during the video conference in order to track attendance.
  • You must agree not to copy or distribute workshop materials provided to you in the course of the workshop.
  • Since authentic patient audio/video is utilized during the training, you must agree to abide by all applicable rules of confidentiality and HIPAA compliance, including but not limited to no audio or video-recording of the workshop in any form.

You will be asked to affirm the previous conditions and your agreement to them prior to the commencement of the workshop.


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