Comparison of the Effectiveness of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy (IRRT) on Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in Individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy (IRRT) on symptoms of depression and anxiety in individuals exhibiting post-traumatic stress symptoms. This study employed a quasi-experimental method with a pretest–posttest design and a control group. The statistical population included all individuals presenting with post-traumatic stress symptoms who sought services at psychological counseling and mental health centers in Tehran in 2024. The sampling method was convenience sampling, and participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups, with a total of 45 participants (15 in each group). Findings indicated that both Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy had a significant effect on reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, there was no significant difference between the effectiveness of the two treatments on these variables. Therefore, based on the results of the present study, both TF-CBT and IRRT can be considered effective therapeutic approaches for improving depression and anxiety in individuals with post-traumatic stress symptoms