Grant: Doctoral Research Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating illness that impacts almost 1 in 10 Canadians in their lifetime. Individuals suffering from PTSD are at risk for suicide, other mental illnesses, and poor health outcomes. Yet, PTSD is not a solitary disorder. PTSD also impacts the mental health of loved ones. For this reason, Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) treats the patient and their partner. After this therapy, a majority of patients no longer meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD. However, symptom reduction is not the only measure of treatment success. Positive changes matter. Posttraumatic growth (or improvements in multiple areas of life following a trauma) can occur as stronger interpersonal relationships, personal strength, appreciation of life, seeing new possibilities, and spiritual change. It has been shown that CBCT can lead to posttraumatic growth. Yet, not all patients respond to treatment or show positive changes, and ways to improve therapies are needed. The drug 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has shown remarkable promise when combined with psychotherapy; and MDMA has been named a breakthrough therapy for PTSD. However, no study has examined if posttraumatic growth occurs in MDMA-assisted couples therapy for PTSD. In this study, 40 couples will receive either MDMA-assisted CBCT or CBCT. We hope to uncover if posttraumatic growth increases for patients and partners in MDMA-assisted CBCT compared to CBCT, when posttraumatic growth occurs in therapy sessions, and to understand the lived experience for patients and partners longer term. To answer these questions, we will measure posttraumatic growth before and after therapy, examine therapy session tapes, and interview patients and partners 6 months after therapy. This will be the first study to examine posttraumatic growth in MDMA-facilitated couples therapy for PTSD. Given that the FDA has scheduled MDMA to become a medicine by 2021, this research is necessary and timely.