The Role of Cognitive-Affective Themes in the Assessment and Treatment of Trauma Reactions

Trauma is increasingly understood in terms of its effect on cognitive-affective meaning structures and processes, referred to as themes. This idea is contextualized within the theoretical perspectives now dominant in the field of traumatic stress to illustrate its potential as a unifying principal. An argument is developed for the clinical utility of focusing on themes in both assessment and treatment, and recent research supporting this perspective is reviewed. A clinical case is presented to illustrate the utility of a thematic approach to assessment and treatment. Finally, limitations and future directions of the research are discussed.