This program is for preteen, adolescent, and adult survivors of physical, sexual, psychological, and emotional trauma.

Trauma Affect Regulation: Guide for Education and Therapy (TARGET©), a community-based intervention, is designed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology and improve emotion regulation in participants.

Several randomized controlled trials evaluating TARGET's effectiveness were identified. One study in trauma-exposed mothers with young children revealed findings that were consistently positive with regard to significant decreased PTSD symptomatology and increased affect regulation skills at post-treatment and up to 6 months after program completion compared to another active treatment group and a wait-list control group. Another study with a sample of delinquent girls showed some similar results for reductions in trauma symptoms but was less clear with regard to increases in affect regulation skills. Sustainability was not assessed in this study. Results of a pilot randomized trial among a small group of male veterans indicated improvements at posttest and at a 4-month follow-up in emotion regulation and hope and reductions in PTSD symptoms, hostility, experiential avoidance, and mental health problems.

Therapists work with participants to help them understand the changes that occur to the body and mind as a result of stress and trauma and learn to re-frame PTSD symptoms as normal, healthy reactions to difficult circumstances. The program focuses on providing skills to help participants cope with psychological, relational, and work or school problems; helping participants learn to identify differences between normal and extreme stress; and implementing the following Seven FREEDOM Steps:

• __F__ocus – Bring attention to body signals, clear the mind, and concentrate on one thought that reveals your true self;
• __R__ecognize triggers – Become familiar with stress triggers and learn to differentiate between actual danger and reminders of trauma;
• __E__motional self-check - Distinguish between reaction emotions (e.g., fear, anger, sadness) and main emotions (e.g., calmness, confidence);
• __E__valuate thoughts - Identify reactive thoughts and discover within them the main thoughts that represent core beliefs;
• __D__efine goals - Create goals that represent personal values and dreams;
• __O__ptions – Obtain a sense of personal control by making choices that align with your true self and what you most want; and
• __M__ake a contribution - Realize the value you bring to the world when you manage your stress in a constructive way.

TARGET was developed by Dr. Julian Ford, who has trained individuals in over 500 mental health and addiction treatment agencies, healthcare organizations, school systems, juvenile justice and child welfare systems, violence prevention programs, and business organizations across the United States and around the world. The program has also been evaluated in a group of male military veterans with PTSD.

Therapists with a master’s degree or higher in a behavioral health-related field deliver this program. A 2-hour online training is required and costs $750 per person. Training is followed by approximately 16 hours of self-paced coursework that must be completed within 1 month of the online training. Please visit https://www.atspro.org/training-calendar for more information.

Considerations for implementing this program include recruiting and obtaining buy-in from participants, hiring facilitators who have a suitable educational background and ensuring they complete training, and locating space to hold sessions.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing TARGET, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Weekly sessions are held for 50 minutes for individual and couple therapy or 60 to 90 minutes for family or group therapy. Program duration is 1 month for brief therapy, 3 to 4 months for time-limited therapy, or 6 or more months for extended therapy.

Curricula are available for adolescents, adults, and families. Please visit https://www.atspro.org/targetcurricula for more information.

To move the TARGET program to the Effective category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence at least two evaluations must be conducted that demonstrate sustained, positive outcomes lasting at least two years from the beginning of the program or at least one year from program completion. At least one of these studies must be conducted independently of the program developer.

Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact Advanced Trauma Solutions Professionals, LLC, by phone 1-860-269-8663, fax 1-860-606-0008, email info@advancedtrauma.com, or visit https://www.atspro.org/contact

https://www.cebc4cw.org/program/trauma-affect-regulation-guide-for-education-and-therapy-adults/detailed, https://crimesolutions.ojp.gov/ratedprograms/145, and https://www.atspro.org/