"הם נתנו לנו להיות איתם בעולם שלהם": נקודת מבטם של מטפלים באיזונובה - מתחם לריפוי עצמי קהילתי לשורדי שבט הנובה-טראנס

Background: Written Exposure Therapy is an effective individual therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder among US soldiers, and is considered to be a gold standard. However, this therapy is pioneering in Israel and, as far as we know, has not been used widely among Israeli soldiers, either individually or in a group setting. Aim: This article presents a group treatment protocol for Written Exposure Therapy, adapted and developed in the IDF’s Combat Stress Response Unit, for soldiers seeking treatment after participating in the Iron Swords War. Method: The original protocol consisted of five sessions, with two main components: imaginative exposure and cognitive restructuring through writing.Writing helps shift negative cognitions and beliefs developed from traumatic events to more regulated cognitions and beliefs.Findings: The original protocol was expanded to 12 sessions as a more appropriate response to the current situation, incorporating relaxation and grounding techniques alongside trauma-focused processing to reduce feelings of shame,alienation, and loneliness, and to strengthen a sense of belonging.Conclusions: The expanded protocol is a short-term treatment for many patients with similar backgrounds. The method successfully engages patients in group therapy and enables them to complete the treatment plan. The critical component allowing this is the personal processing within a group setting.Implications for practice: Organic groups such as fighters may benefit from group therapy. Personal processing within the group can help renew relationships with others in the context of the trauma story, mobilize support, and provide an opportunity to practice therapy-acquired skills.