Part 2: Group consultation in prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD (English) — 2024
Overview
The Atlas Institute is offering a two-part training on prolonged exposure (PE) therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to licensed/registered service providers (and their trainees) working in mental health who care for Veterans or Veteran Families in Canada. The cost for this training is covered by the Atlas Institute for eligible service providers who register and are approved (see details in Training fees ).
This two-part training includes:
- Part 1: Workshop on PE for PTSD (4 days; more information)
- Part 2: Regular group consultations with an expert in PE (12 weeks)
Continue reading to learn more about group consultations, including how to register!
About prolonged exposure therapy (PE)
Prolonged exposure (PE) therapy is an evidence-based therapy that is recommended as a first-line treatment for PTSD in international treatment guidelines, such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guideline (2018) and the American Psychological Association (APA) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of PTSD (2017).
Evidence supports the addition of consultation as a part of training. Training has shown to be more effective at improving competence and application of therapies when consultation is included as part of the training program.
For more information about PE therapy, please visit the website for the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety (CTSA) at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine.
You can also visit our webpage developed for Veterans and their Families wanting to learn more about PE therapy and what to expect during treatment.
Training fees
The Atlas Institute is covering the cost of the PE for PTSD group consultations for approved registrants. There will be no cost to participants, subject to eligibility.
Registration
Please complete the online form to register for group consultations with an expert in PE.
This opportunity is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants who attended the PE for PTSD workshop offered by the Atlas Institute in February 2024 will be given priority. After you submit your registration form, you will be notified within 10 business days of your acceptance. Please do not make scheduling or other arrangements until you have received confirmation of your acceptance.
Group consultation details
Group consultations will take place weekly via Zoom for Healthcare. Each consultation session is led by a certified PE Trainer. PE Trainers are licensed mental health clinicians certified as PE therapy trainers and have extensive experience supervising and training in PE therapy.
Group PE Group consultation structure:
- Number of sessions offered: 12
- Session duration: 90 minutes
- Frequency of sessions: Weekly
- Delivery method: Online via Zoom for Healthcare
- Language: English
Consultation groups will be hosted on Zoom for Healthcare. Participants will receive an invitation with instructions specific to your group prior to the first session.
Please ensure that you have a stable Internet connection (broadband wired or wireless — 3G or 4G/LTE), speakers and microphone (built-in or USB plug-in or wireless Bluetooth). To ensure connectivity, please ensure your Zoom App is up-to-date. If you have an older version of Zoom, it may not be compatible. You can download the latest version here.
There is space available for 20 participants.
Two consultation groups will be offered. Each group will have a maximum of 10 participants.
You will receive priority if you participated in the PE for PTSD workshop offered by the Atlas Institute in February 2024. However, your spot is not guaranteed as space is limited.
By joining a consultation group, selected participants will have the opportunity to present PTSD cases and receive expert feedback, consultation and support from a PE expert. You will also have the opportunity to discuss the appropriateness of PE for your PTSD cases.
These group consultations do not count towards requirements for the CTSA’s PE Therapist certification.
About the trainers
Dr. David Paul is a Registered Psychologist and Co-Director of the Centre for Posttraumatic Stress & Anxiety Treatment in Edmonton, Alta. He previously worked as Clinical Coordinator at the Veterans Affairs Canada Operational Stress Injury Clinic in Edmonton from 2009 to 2012, and as a Clinical Psychologist with the Department of National Defence between 2013 and 2018. Dr. Paul’s primary clinical focus is the treatment of PTSD using empirically validated cognitive-behavioural therapies. He is certified as a PE Therapist, Consultant and Trainer by the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine.
Eligibility requirements
This training is intended for licensed/registered service providers working in mental health who care for Veterans or Veteran Families in Canada. Trainees working under a licensed/registered service provider in Canada are also eligible to apply.
Because of the advanced nature of group consultations and the limited enrolment, participants should have prior experience treating survivors of trauma. It is not intended for those with a general interest. Previous training and experience with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is strongly recommended.
To be eligible, you must:
- Have completed the four-day workshop in PE for PTSD led by CTSA-certified PE Trainers.
- Be able to commit to attending sessions on a weekly basis for the duration of the group consultations.
- Provide care to Veterans or Veteran Families (Veterans from the Canadian Armed Forces and former Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP] members).
- You must have a Veteran in your current caseload.
- The insurance provider your client uses is not a determining factor for eligibility (e.g. Veterans can use their own private insurance or insurance through Veterans Affairs Canada).
- Service providers who only care for active military or RCMP members are not eligible. Clients that are transitioning out of the military but are still currently an active member do not count towards the Veteran eligibility requirement.
- Have at least one active case or anticipate having an active case during the group consultation period.
- “Active cases” refers to having clients with PTSD for whom you are currently providing care.
- Be a licensed/registered service provider or a trainee under a licensed/registered service provider working in mental health. Your license needs to include psychotherapy in your scope of practice. For example: counsellor; marriage and Family therapist; nurse practitioner; occupational therapist; physician; psychiatrist; psychologist; psychotherapist; registered nurse; registered psychiatric nurse; social worker. If you do not see yourself in this list, please contact us to see if you’re eligible.
- Your licence must include psychotherapy in the scope of practice.
- Please note that regulatory bodies differ in each province and territory and the scope of practice for each profession may vary as a result.
- Be currently living and providing care in Canada.
- Be able to participate in the group consultations in English.
We encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity. The Atlas Institute is attentive to the diversity of our network and invites you to self-identify during registration if you wish. Responses from applicants who self-identify during the registration process will only be shared with training organizers at the Atlas Institute. Groups include:
- First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples, and all other Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities
- Member of a group(s) that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin
- Persons who identify as women
- Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions
The Atlas Institute is committed to supporting an accessible environment for participants attending trainings offered through the Atlas Institute. Part of this commitment includes providing supports such as American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters or captionists during the training. Prior to the training, we will ask all participants if any supports would help them fully participate.
