Synopsis

There is increasingly high worldwide incidence of crimes/violence, accidents, natural and human-made disasters, wars, and terrorism. Current research has documented that individuals who have experienced trauma and life adversities are at increased risks for physical and mental health disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in particular. Trauma-focused Exposure Therapy (ET) has been proven efficacious in reducing PTSD symptoms. However, this approach is limited by treatment drop-out, non-compliance, and symptom exacerbation with the potential distressing component of exposure to traumatic memories and feared situations. This workshop will introduce an evidence-based 8-session panic management and skills training imaginal exposure treatment program (SP/ET) to treat individuals who experience mild post-traumatic distress symptoms. During the initial 4 sessions, indivduals will receive (a) education about posttraumatic stress, (b) anxiety management, (c) panic management, (d) distress tolerance exercises, and (e) positive event scheduling. The subsequent 4 sessions will follow standard procedures of ET that include (a) psychoeducation and rationale of ET, (b) construction of the exposure hierarchy, (c) graded imaginal and in vivo exposure to feared situations, and (d) relapse prevention. Research on Asian samples indicated that individuals reported significant improvement in their trauma symptoms and cognitions as well as moderate improvement in anxiety/depression symptoms and specific areas of cognitive functioning after completing SP/ET.

About the Presenter

Professor Tang is a Professor in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Social Science at the National University of Singapore (NUS). She is also the Deputy Director of the Center for Family and Population Research and Co-chair of the Institutional Review Board at NUS.

Professor Tang obtained her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of North Texas, USA and LLB at the University of London, UK. She has been a Professor in the Department of Psychology and Director of Graduate Studies in Clinical Psychology, Postgraduate Degree Programs in Trauma Psychology, Gender Research Program, and Gender Studies Program in the Chinese University of Hong Kong until 2007. 

Professor Tang was the past Chairperson of the Singapore Register of Psychologists and the past Chairperson of Division of Clinical Psychology and a Fellow of the Hong Kong Psychological Society. She was also a founding member of the Asian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the Asian Association of Cognitive and Behavior Therapy.

Professor Tang was the Associate Editor of the Asian Journal of Psychology, and has been a member of the Editorial Boards for academic journals such as International Perspective in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation; International Journal of Stress Management; Asia-Pacific Journal of Counselling, Sex Roles, and Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being.

Contact Information

Should you have any enquiries, Please feel free to contact: cebp@hksyu.edu