Experience of using narrative exposure therapy model in a community learning disability team

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects 10% of individuals with learning disabilities, compared to 4.4% in the general population. However, research on effective PTSD treatments for this group is limited, and adapted treatment manuals are lacking. This case series explores narrative exposure therapy (NET) applied to two adults with LD and PTSD. Despite differing PTSD presentations, clinicians found NET to be a resource-efficient and beneficial intervention. Both cases showed reductions in trauma and depression symptoms, showing that NET may hold promise as a trauma treatment for adults with LD. Easy to read summary ■ Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is more common in people with learning disabilities than in the general population. ■ There is not a lot of research on adapting PTSD treatment manuals for people with learning disabilities ■ This paper looks at using Narrative Exposure Therapy with two adults who have learning disabilities and PTSD ■ Narrative Exposure Therapy was found to be helpful with both individuals showing reduced trauma and depression symptoms. Narrative Exposure Therapy may be useful for people with learning disabilities and PTSD.