--- title: "BEACON therapy for PTSD: new study confirms it is as effective as current first-line treatments" description: In a new report by Dr. Peter Farvolden, BEACON therapy for PTSD is as effective as other first-line treatments, including medications and face-to-face CBT. image: https://www.mindbeacon.com/hubfs/PTSD_70pct_1200x628.png --- # BEACON therapy for PTSD: new study confirms it is as effective as current first-line treatments Posted by [ the MindBeacon team](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/author/the-mindbeacon-team) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Often, we think of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a condition mainly faced by members of the military or first responders. However, while people in those professions are at a higher risk, PTSD is known to affect other occupations such as construction or retail banking. And, as trauma can occur outside of work, PTSD can affect anyone. In fact, **2.5 million Canadians** will suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives. PTSD is caused by experiencing, or witnessing, a traumatic event. The type of trauma can vary, but most commonly would involve violence, having one’s life in danger, sexual assault, or even learning that a trauma has occurred to a loved one. Not everyone experiencing trauma will develop PTSD. But, those who do can suffer debilitating symptoms, reliving the painful event for months, or even years, after it happened. #### PTSD is treatable **–** but there are many barriers to accessing care Studies show that both medications and psychotherapy are effective at treating PTSD. Some of the strongest evidence is in favour of trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which helps shift a person’s thoughts, beliefs and behaviours around a traumatic event. However, many barriers can block a patient’s access to care, including cost, stigma, time constraints and limited availability of qualified therapists. **There is a need for effective, accessible treatments to reach more Canadians living with PTSD. **With this in mind, the BEACON clinical team analysed results from our trauma-focused therapist-assisted internet-delivered CBT (TF-TAiCBT) – evidence-based therapy delivered to patients securely online with the ongoing support of a BEACON therapist. #### 70% with PTSD significantly benefited from BEACON treatment Already established as a first-line treatment for depression and anxiety disorders, TAiCBT has also shown success in PTSD. However, more real-world evidence was needed to confirm its benefit. To do this, data from 122 people who had an IAPT score of 38 or more (which means a person is extremely likely to have PTSD) were analyzed. With some in the sample completing as little as two weeks of treatment, **70%** of people significantly responded to treatment – a 10-point or larger drop in PCL-5 scores (a standard measure of PTSD symptoms). Plus, nearly the same number of people (64%) no longer met the criteria for PTSD by the study’s end. **With these results, we’re pleased to confirm that therapy through BEACON for PTSD is as effective as other first-line treatments, including medications and face-to-face CBT.** ![PTSD_70pct_1](https://www.mindbeacon.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PTSD_70pct_1.png?width=474&name=PTSD_70pct_1.png) ![PTSD_64pct_1](https://www.mindbeacon.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PTSD_64pct_1.png?width=474&name=PTSD_64pct_1.png) With more Canadians facing stress and enduring traumatic life events, PTSD remains a serious mental health condition in need of effective treatments. We are confident in stating that BEACON is one of those – that can reach and benefit many more people in need of help. ##### ** Interested in seeing detailed results? Request our analysis paper. ** [![Reach Out](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3927801/11a7305c-d1c1-4ca4-825f-1c6b1e1f3fed.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3927801/11a7305c-d1c1-4ca4-825f-1c6b1e1f3fed) #### Related articles: - [Severe Depression: New Analysis Determines BEACON Therapists Can Successfully Treat This Condition Through Digital Interaction](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-leaders/outcomes-anlysis-depression) - [New Analysis of BEACON Effectiveness for Severe Anxiety is Particularly Important in the Wake of COVID-19](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-leaders/outcomes-analysis-severe-anxiety)   Topics: [Dr. Peter Farvolden](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/dr-peter-farvolden), [PTSD](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/ptsd), [CBT](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/cbt), [Mental Health](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/mental-health) ### Sign up for Insights for HR Leaders Receive our latest content on workplace mental health. ### Posts by Tag - [Mental Health (16)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/mental-health) - [Workplace Programs (10)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/workplace-programs) - [Dr. Peter Farvolden (7)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/dr-peter-farvolden) - [Leaders (5)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/leaders) - [Workplace Mental Health (5)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/workplace-mental-health) - [CBT (4)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/cbt) - [Return To Work (4)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/return-to-work) - [Anxiety (3)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/anxiety) - [Benefits (3)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/benefits) - [Digital therapy explained (3)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/digital-therapy-explained) - [New Customer Announcement (3)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/new-customer-announcement) - [Support (3)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/support) - [Work (3)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/work) - [BEACON results (2)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/beacon-results) - [Diversity (2)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/diversity) - [Inclusion (2)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/inclusion) - [Stress (2)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/stress) - [TAiCBT explained (2)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/taicbt-explained) - [Alcohol (1)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/alcohol) - [BIPOC (1)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/bipoc) - [Burnout (1)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/burnout) - [Chronic Pain Management (1)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/chronic-pain-management) - [Communications (1)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/communications) - [Depression (1)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/depression) - [Disability management (1)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/disability-management) - [Dr. Khush Amaria (1)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/dr-khush-amaria) - [Human Resources (1)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/human-resources) - [Mental health care in Canada (1)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/mental-health-care-in-canada) - [PTSD (1)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/ptsd) - [Press release (1)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/press-release) - [Workplace Leader in Mental Health Series (1)](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/tag/workplace-leader-in-mental-health-series) [See all](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/beacon-for-ptsd-new-study-confirms-as-effective-as-current-first-line-treatments#) ### Recent Posts ## Related Articles [Clickable image for "New Managing Stress therapy through BEACON helps employees thrive through heightened pressures" post. ](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/new-managing-stress-therapy-through-beacon-helps-employees-thrive-through-heightened-stress) Build a Better Workplace 28 - October - 2020 ### [New Managing Stress therapy through BEACON helps employees thrive through heightened pressures](https://www.mindbeacon.com/insights-for-hrleaders/new-managing-stress-therapy-through-beacon-helps-employees-thrive-through-heightened-stress) Stress is a necessary part of life. 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