The document provides guidance for counselors on treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using couple's counseling. It outlines several steps, including assessing for suicide, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Counselors are instructed to educate the couple on trauma, PTSD, and how it impacts relationships. The document then recommends several treatment guides and manuals that use acceptance and commitment therapy, emotion-focused therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and structured and systems approaches. Additional resources for bibliotherapy and support organizations are also provided.

1. Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder using couple’s counseling
Steps for the Counselor
1. Rule out Suicide ideation, Alcohol or Substance abuse, Domestic Violence using appropriate assessments. These assessments
should be done with each member of the couple independently so that neither partner is concerned about confidentiality
(Sautter, Armelie, Gylnn &Wielt, 2011). Suggestions: Conflict Tactics Scale (Straus & Douglas, 2004); Alcohol Use
Disorders Identification Test (Bohn, Babor, & Kranzler, 1995); Drug Abuse Screening Test (Gavin, Ross, & Skinner, 1989);
Beck Suicide Ideation Scale (Beck, Kovacs, & Weissman, 1979).
2. Psychoeducation - Educate the couple on trauma and PTSD, the impacts of PTSD on the relationship. Normalize the
experience by partner with PTSD and patterns faced by the couple. Initiate dialogue on how the couple can communicate
wishes for how to cope during specific phenomenon (i.e. nightmares or flashbacks) (Jones, Sherman, Zanotti, 2005; Sautter,
Armelie, Gylnn &Wielt, 2011). Promote acceptance in problematic behaviors associated with PTSD. Enhancing partner
acceptance is powerful and often results in behavioral change (Sautter, Armelie, Gylnn &Wielt, 2011).
3. Treatment Guides and Manuals –
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy:
Wasler, R.D., Westrup, D., & Hayes, S.C. (2007). Acceptance & Commitment Therapy for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder: A Practitioner's Guide to Using Mindfulness & Acceptance Strategies. New Harbinger Publications
Emotion Focused Approach:
Johnson, E. (2005). Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy with Trauma Survivors: Strengthening Attachment Bonds. The Guilford
Press.
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing:
Shapiro, F., Kaslow, F., & Maxfield, L. (2007). Handbook of EMDR and Family Therapy Processes. Wiley.
Structured Approach Therapy:
Sautter, F.J., Armelie, A.P., Glynn, S.M. & Wielt, D.B. (2011). The Development of a Couple-Based Treatment for PTSD in
Returning Veterans. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 42(1), 63-69.
Systems Approach:
Everson, R.B. & Figley, C.R. (2010). Families Under Fire: Systemic Therapy With Military Families. Routledge.
Additional Resources:
Catherall, D.R. (2004). Family Stressors: Interventions for Stress and Trauma. Routledge.
Jones, D.E., Sherman, M.D., & Zanotti, D.K. (2005). Key Elements in Couples Therapy with Veterns with Combat-Related
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 36(6), 626-633.
Webb, N. B. (2003). Mass Trauma and Violence: Helping Families and Children Cope. The Guilford Press.
Resources for the Couple
Bibliotherapy:
England, D. (2009). The Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Relationship: How to Support Your Partner and Keep Your Relationship
Healthy. Adams Media
Gottman (1995). Why Marriages Succeed or Fail and how you can make yours last. Simon & Schuster
Phillips, S.B., & Kane, D. (2009). Healing Together: A Couple's Guide to Coping with Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress. New
Harbinger Publications
Addition Resources:
Military One Sources. (2011). Retrieved from www.militaryonesource.com.
National Center for PTSD (2011). Retrieved from www.ptsd.va.gov/index/asp
United States Department of Veterans Affairs (2011). Retrieved from www.va.gov/

2. References
Allen, E.S., Rhoades, G.K., Stanley, S.M., &Markman, H.J. (2010). Hitting Home: Relationships Between
Recent Deployment, Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, and Marital Functioning for Married Couples.
Journal of Family Psychology, 24(3), 280-288
Benotsch, E.G., Brailey, K., Vasterling J.J., Uddo, M., Constans, J.I., &Sutker, P. (2000). War zone stress,
personal and environmental resources, and PTSD symptoms in Gulf War veterans: A longitudinal
Perspective. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 109, 205-213.
Galovski, T.E., & Lyons, J. (2004). The psychological sequelea of exposure to combat violence: A review of
the impact on the veteran’s family. Aggression and Violent Behavior: A Journal Review, 9, 477-501
Goff, B.S.N., Crow, J.R., Reisbig, A.M.J., & Hamilton, S. (2007). The impact of individual trauma symptoms
of deployed soldiers on relationship satisfaction. Journal of Family Psychology, 21, 344-353.
Jacobson, N., & Christensen, A. (1996). Integrative couple therapy: Promoting acceptance and change. New
York: Norton.
Johnson, S.M. (2002). Emotionally focused couple therapy with trauma survivors: Strengthening attachment
bonds, New York: Guildford Press.
Jones, D.E., Sherman, M.D., & Zanotti, D.K. (2005). Key Elements in Couples Therapy with Veterns with
Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 36(6),
626-633.
Sautter, F.J., Armelie, A.P., Glynn, S.M. & Wielt, D.B. (2011). The Development of a Couple-Based Treatment
for PTSD in Returning Veterans. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 42(1), 63-69.
Taft, C.T., Watkins, L.E., Stafford, J., Street, A.E., & Monson, C.M. (2011). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and
Intimate Relationship Problems: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,
79(1), 22-33.