**Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) Combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)**

**Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) Combined with** 

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.70899

Katia Levrier, André Marchand, Valérie Billette, Stéphane Guay and Geneviève Belleville Valérie Billette, Stéphane Guay and Geneviève Belleville

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.70899

Katia Levrier, André Marchand,

#### **Abstract**

[41] Rodebaugh TL, Chambless DL. The effects of video feedback on self-perception of performance: A replication and extension. Cognitive Therapy and Research. 2002;26:629-644

[42] Warnock-Parkes E, Wild J, Stott R, Grey N, Ehlers A, Clark DM. Seeing is believing: Using video feedback in cognitive therapy for social anxiety disorder. Cognitive and

[43] Kim HY, Lundh LG, Harvey A. The enhancement of video feedback by cognitive preparation in the treatment of social anxiety: A single-session experiment. Journal of Behavior

[44] Shirotsuki K, Sasagawa S, Nomura S. The effect of cognitive intervention in video feedback on self-rating of speech performance. Japanese Journal of Cognitive Therapy.

[45] Foa EB, Franklin ME, Perry KJ, Herbert JD. Cognitive biases in social phobia. Journal of

[46] Stopa L, Clark DM. Social phobia and interpretation of social events. Behaviour Research

[47] Constans JI, Penn DL, Ihen GH, Hope DA. Interpretative biases for ambiguous stimuli in

[48] Shirotsuki K. A case of Social Anxiety Disorder patient who had conversation anxiety by participating in cognitive behavior group therapy. Tokai Clinical Psychology Research.

[49] Shirotsuki K, Takai A, Adachi S, Shioiri T, Nomura S. A case of social anxiety disorder patient to reinstatement by participating in cognitive behavior group therapy. Japanese

[50] Shirotsuki K. Negative and positive interpretations of appearance on video in sociallyanxious individuals. Bulletin of Clinical Psychology Center of Musashino University.

Abnormal Psychology. 1996;105:433-439. DOI: 10.1037/0021-843X.105.3.433

social anxiety. Behaviour Research and Therapy. 1999;37:643-651

Behavioral Practice. 2017;24:244-255

76 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Clinical Applications

and Therapy. 2000;38:273-283

Journal of Cognitive Therapy. 2011;6:55-68

2011;4:37-45

2013;8:3-8

2013;13:1-9

Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry. 2002;33:19-37

In cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nightmares can often persist, even after a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for this disorder. Imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) is a CBT that targets the treatment of nightmares directly. **Objectives:** the present study describes the feasibility and the efficacy of combining IRT with first-line, trauma-focused CBT for PTSD. **Method:** two individuals with PTSD took part in this experimental case study protocol. The efficacy of the combined treatment was evaluated using semi-structured interviews, self-report questionnaires, and daily self-monitoring diaries. **Results:** after three IRT sessions for Participant 1 and five IRT sessions for Participant 2, combined with CBT for PTSD, both participants experienced a slight decrease in sleep difficulties and in the intensity of their PTSD symptoms post-treatment. More particularly, one participant demonstrated a significant decrease in the level of distress associated with his post-traumatic nightmares (PTNM). **Conclusions:** these results demonstrate that it is possible and promising to combine IRT with CBT for PTSD.

**Keywords:** PTSD, IRT, nightmares, CBT
