Adapting Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Treat Complex Trauma in Police Officers

Police officers are at risk of being exposed to multiple traumas throughout their careers. Compared to the general population, police officers are also at elevated risk for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), increased suicidal ideation, and increased substance use. Cognitive-behavioral interventions have proven empirical validity for the prevention and treatment of PTSD and complex trauma. However, the efficacy of these interventions in police officers has not been studied. This paper will provide the practitioner with an overview of the factors that contribute to the complexity of trauma exposure in police officers, describe trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy as an evidence-based treatment for this population, and illustrate how this treatment can be adapted to better fit the needs of police officers. Implications of these adaptations and suggestions for future areas of intervention research with law enforcement are also described.