Research so far on this course ...

We have conducted > 2 trials of this course

More than 200 participants have enrolled in this course

We have published > 2 studies evaluating this course

PTSD Course

Background

The PTSD Course is a free, online, and internet-delivered treatment Course for people with symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - that is, PTSD.

The PTSD Course is designed to provide good information about PTSD and teach people practical, proven, skills that can reduce and help to manage the the symptoms of PTSD.

We developed this Course because PTSD is a common condition. But, the symptoms of PTSD make it hard to seek treatment and many people have difficulty getting access to effective, evidence-based, treatment.

To learn more about anxiety and anxiety disorders, including PTSD, please click here.

Who is the course suitable for?

The course is suitable for:

Adults aged 18 years and older
Who have experienced a highly stressful and traumatic event more than 1 month ago
Who are having re-experiencing symptoms (e.g., distressing thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks)
With symptoms of stress, anxiety, low mood or depression
Who want to learn information and skills to improve the quality of their lives and emotional wellbeing.
Who have the time to spend working on the course and practicing the skills taught during the Course.

Unfortunately, we cannot include people who are currently suicidal, do not have access to the Internet. We strongly recommend you discuss your participation in this course and your trauma symptoms with your GP.

What does the course involve?

The course involves:

5 online lessons that provide information and teach practical self-management skills.
Worksheets to help understand and practice those skills.
Lots of Additional Resources and Case Stories and examples from others.
Brief weekly contact with a clinician via email and telephone (not available in every course).

The PTSD Course is delivered over 8 weeks and is designed to provide you with practical information and effective skills for managing symptoms of PTSD. The PTSD Course provides participants with the same information they would normally receive from face-to-face treatment from a Clinical Psychologist.

Importantly, we understand that thinking about trauma and symptoms is often uncomfortable. So, we have designed the Course so that people can go at a pace that feels safe and controllable to them. But, it is hard work and requires homework exercises to be completed by people on their own.

What have we found so far?

We have now had a lot of people complete this course. Participants are reporting improvements in:

PTSD and other trauma-related symptoms
Stress and generalised anxiety
Low mood and depression

Although the Course is hard work, more than 90% of participants are also reporting the course is worth their time and that they'd recommend it to others.

Some of the key papers we have published on this course are:

Spence J, Titov N, Johnston L, Jones MP, Dear BF, Solley K. (2014). Internet-based trauma-focussed cognitive behavioural therapy for PTSD with and without exposure components: A randomised controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, 162, 73-80.
Spence J, Titov N, Dear BF, Johnston L, Solley K, Lorian C, Wootton B, Zou J, Schwencke G. (2011). A Randomized Controlled Trial of Internet-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Depression and Anxiety, 28, 541-550.

What is the current trial or study looking at?

Every time we offer a course we offer it as a part of a trial or study. This means that participants are helping us to answer an important research question while they participate in our courses.

We are not currently planning any research using the PTSD Course.

When is the next course being offered?