Treatment protocol
PTSD, trauma
Approximately two weeks after baseline clinical and fMRI testing, participants in the PTSD group began a 9-week TF-psychotherapy treatment protocol administered by a doctoral or masters-level clinical psychologist. Treatment occurred in weekly 60–90 min sessions and was consistent with TF- psychotherapy protocols. Therapy comprised one session of psychoeducation about psychological responses to trauma, followed by six sessions of 40 min imaginal exposure to the trauma memory, together with instructions regarding in vivo exposure to avoided situations. In these sessions cognitive reframing of catastrophic thoughts about the trauma and oneself were addressed, as well as an additional session that reinforced cognitive reframing exercises. A final session instructed participants on relapse prevention strategies [