Intensive Trauma Treatment

Intensive trauma treatment refers to a specialized, often structured, and focused approach to helping individuals who have experienced significant psychological trauma and meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD, complex PTSD, or borderline personality disorder. This chapter involves a narrative review of the increasing evidence-based supporting trauma intervention delivered using an intensive format. Different models will be presented, highlighting the distinction between singular and pluralistic approaches and the advantages and disadvantages concerning clinical practice. Within the next decade, it is envisaged that there will be an increase in the number of trauma treatment interventions that are being delivered using intensive approaches. This may appear to be a bold salvo in opening this chapter; nonetheless, this prediction will be based upon the emerging health economic data supporting this trajectory. As the literature will attest, intensive treatment is clinically beneficial and is a critical aspect of economies of scale that will drive healthcare policy and practice.