Although clinicians have long been encouraged to include families in the treatment of PTSD, few specific couple/family therapies exist. Because of the adverse effects of PTSD on relationships, couples therapy can be a powerful adjunct treatment. A new framework for conceptualizing couples therapy organizes treatment around the 3 PTSD symptom clusters (re-experiencing, avoidance, and arousal). The authors summarize the relationship consequences of each symptom cluster and provide specific treatment interventions and a case study as an illustration.

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Page last modified or reviewed by athealth.com on Jun 11, 2025.

Michelle D. Sherman received her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1997. She is employed by the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center and affiliated with the South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center and the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Areas of research interest include family issues surrounding serious mental illness (especially posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]) and couples family psychotherapy.

Dona K. Zanotti received her PhD in counseling psychology from the University of North Dakota in 1998. She is employed by the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center and is affiliated with the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Areas of research interest include PTSD and substance dependence.

Dan E. Jones received his PhD in clinical psychology from Oklahoma State University in 1989. He is employed by the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center and is affiliated with the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Areas of research interest include anxiety disorders, especially PTSD.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Michelle D. Sherman, Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 921 Northeast13thStreet,OklahomaCity,OK73104.E-ail:[email protected]

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