Implementation and Effectiveness of Cognitive Processing Therapy in Community Corrections

This pilot study is looking at if Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), a gold-standard therapy for PTSD, helps people with their mental health and substance use recovery during and after prison. It is also looking at how to best implement CPT in prison. Half of the study participants were women who were enrolled while incarcerated and who did follow-ups with the research team about 3 months after getting out of prison.

Zielinski, M. J., Allison, M. K., Steely Smith, M. K., Curran, G., Kaysen, D., & Kirchner, J. E. (2023). Implementation of Cognitive Processing Therapy in correction centers: Anticipated determinants from formative evaluation.Journal of Traumatic Stress, 36, 193-204.

Zielinski, M. J., Steely Smith, M. K., Kaysen, D., Selig, J. P., Zaller, N. D., Curran, G., & Kirchner, J. E. (2022). A participant-randomized pilot hybrid II trial of group Cognitive Processing Therapy for incarcerated persons with posttraumatic stress and substance use disorder symptoms: Study protocol and rationale.Health & Justice, 10, 30.

Lead Researcher: Dr. Melissa Zielinski

Agency: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences