Exposure counterconditioning (EC) as a treatment for severe PTSD and depression with an illustrative case

Cognitive behavioral therapies have strong empirical support as the treatments of choice for PTSD. Still, a significant proportion of the patients retain distressing PTSD symptoms after treatment. A treatment named Exposure Counterconditioning (EC), based on Wolpe's (1995, Theories of behaviour therapy (pp. 23-57). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association) reciprocal inhibition theory and Pavlovian conditioning mechanisms (Baldwin & Baldwin, 1986, Behavior principles in everyday life (pp. 41-42). New Jersey: Prentice-Hall) is presented. The EC treatment is proposed as an addition to the established treatments for PTSD. A case study from which the EC treatment was first developed is illustrated. The patient suffered from severe PTSD and depression. The EC treatment was effective in eliminating the patient's PTSD and depression. Also, the patient's severe anger, guilt and dissociation were eliminated. The results and important clinical observations are discussed within an counterconditioning framework.