Posttraumatic Growth As An Integrative Therapeutic Philosophy

This article provides a summary of the concept of posttraumatic growth (PTG) and how it is applied to psychotherapeutic intervention. We briefly discuss the concept of PTG and empirical research that has identified 5 PTG outcomes and the processes that lead to these outcomes in the aftermath of trauma. We consider a PTG-based model of intervention that integrates elements of cognitive-behavioral, narrative, interpersonal, and existential therapies while emphasizing the importance of the therapy relationship in an approach called "expert companionship." Finally, we describe PTG-based interventions in individual psychotherapy and in other forms of intervention with trauma survivors and offer a case example.