Protocol Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy (BEP) for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, rehabilitation of work-related violence
Author(s): B. Gersons, I., Carlier and M. Olff                                    Country: Netherlands
Is the intervention sector specific?	No
Is the intervention usable with different enterprise sizes?	Yes
Is the intervention equally applicable to both genders?	Yes
Is the intervention based on theory?	Yes
Can the intervention approach be adapted/ tailored?	Yes
Does the intervention promote CSR and how?	BEP encourages employers to take care of employees' well-being
Does the intervention promote social dialogue and how?	The implementation of the intervention requires the cooperation with research, rehabilitation personnel in different locations, employers and government.
Overview (including risk assessment and law – legal requirements etc.): Protocol Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy (BEP) for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a work-related violence victim rehabilitation model which is currently in use at the University Hospital of Amsterdam. Protocol Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy is based on psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural and directive psychotherapies. This evidence-based programme seeks to address the rehabilitation needs of traumatised police officers and thereby promote successful return to work and overall employee health and wellbeing.
Implementation:   The intervention contains five key elements (maximum 16 sessions):   1) Psychoeducation: teaching about the phenomenon and reasons for unexplained feelings. 2) Imaginal exposure: re-experiencing the damaging experience/traumatic event (4-6 sessions, 15-20 minutes each). A key success factor for imaginal exposure is for patients to feel a sense of reclaiming control of one’s own life. 3) Writing tasks and mementos: Written assignments are completed by clients outside the therapy sessions. These written tasks serve an explicit purpose; to help patients uncover difficult feelings connected to the traumatic experience and learn to address these feelings. The use of mementos, objects linked to the traumatic event, may be used to instigate this process. 4) Meaning and integration: issues explored are psychoeducative, including security issues, decision making, meaning of self worth, life history issues, understanding of feelings, reintegration to work. 5) Farewell ritual: the therapy finishes and the traumatic experience is left behind, however, is not forgotten. The patient is encouraged to look into the future   Recovery needs approximately 16 sessions with a trained therapist. However, duration may vary according to the needs of the individual.
Practical applications: The method has been successfully used with victims of work-related violence. The successful implementation of this intervention requires a trained therapist.
Innovative aspects:   The patient’s partner is invited to attend/participate in the first meeting of the rehabilitation therapy; in order to increase their understanding and promote support for his/her partner throughout the therapeutic process. In so doing, this takes the overall situation of the patient into consideration.
Evaluation (including process issues, outcomes and sustainability): An evaluation of the client’s therapeutic development is conducted six months following their treatment.
Benefits (including cost effectiveness): Ten years of experience of implementing this programme has demonstrated its overall effectiveness.
References: Gersons B., Carlier I., & Olff M. (2004). Protocol, Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy (BEP), for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. University of Amsterdam, Center for Psychological Trauma.
Comments:   It is heavily recommended that the intervention is adapted and tailored to the individual.