PTSD was first recognized in DSM III (1980).   PTSD is the only diagnostic category based on the impact of outside events on an individual.   There has been increased recognition that law enforcement is a profession with high levels of PTSD; 7 – 35% of all officers are presently experiencing symptoms.  Research demonstrates that the symptoms of PTSD adversely impact an officer’s ability to do his/her job.

In an effort to address this issue, techniques which address the specific problems related to law enforcement have been developed and utilized, such as critical incident stress debriefing.  This chapter describes a therapeutic technique, MTP, which combines a number of established techniques that can quickly reduce symptoms related to job-related critical incidents.  MTP follows an EAP model of short-term counseling and is tailored to the unique characteristics of the law enforcement culture.  MTP is used to return an officer to the emotional stability present when he/she assumed a law enforcement position.

Nancy Davis, Ph.D.; Abstract: Published in: Brief Treatments for the Traumatized: Greenwood Press; Charles Figley, Editor: May 2002