Control-focused behavior therapy resulted with decrease in the severity of PTSD, depression and pain level: A case study

Control- Focused Behavior Therapy (CFBT) is a behavioral psychotherapy method that is prov-en to be an effective treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder with earthquake, torture, and war survivors. This case study aimed to test the effectiveness of CFBT on treating traumatic stress symptoms and chronic pain in a woman who had been exposed to physical partner vio-lence. Ten sessions of CFBT treatment including two control interviews- one six weeks, and one a year later- were applied. Taking the patient's pain complaints into account, the level of pain was also monitored. The treatment resulted in a decrease in the levels of PTSD and depression symp-toms, pain severity, and an increase in functioning. This improvement was maintained at a 1-year follow-up. The results of this study suggest that CFBT can be used as an effective treatment method for victims of partner violence, but it is necessary to prove this effect with studies with control groups to be carried out with this sample. Additionally, treating PTSD symptoms among chronic pain patients could help them to overcome severe pain without drug use.