The document discusses assessment and treatment approaches for acute trauma in adults. It outlines various types of severe adult traumas including assaults, disasters, war experiences, and torture. When treating acute versus chronic trauma, safety assessment and support are priorities. Emotional processing is a key component of trauma treatment and involves exposure, activation, disparity, and counterconditioning within a supportive therapeutic relationship. Specific issues are discussed for treating different types of severe trauma such as combat exposure, rape, and torture.

1. Treating acute trauma in adults: Assessment and intervention in the persistent effects John Briere, Ph.D. Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California Psychological Trauma Program, LA County – USC Medical Center MCAVIC-USC Child and Adolescent Trauma Program, National Child Traumatic Stress Network