6.3 Improving Rural Access: Accelerated Outcomes from a 4-Day Trauma Therapy Program
Tracks
Crown Ballroom 3B
| Thursday, October 23, 2025 |
| 2:20 PM - 2:50 PM |
| Crown Ballroom 3B |
Details
Format: Academic or scientific verbal presentation (30-minute)
Speaker
Dr Grant Blake
Clinical Director
Intensive Trauma Treatment Centre
Improving Rural Access: Accelerated Outcomes from a 4-Day Trauma Therapy Program
2:20 PM - 2:50 PMAbstract Overview
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD remain major challenges in rural and regional communities. Many patients, including veterans, WorkCover clients, victims of crime, and self-referred individuals, experience chronic symptoms that are difficult to treat with standard weekly therapy. Barriers such as travel distance, stigma, limited specialist access, and high dropout rates often prevent sustained engagement.
The Intensive Trauma Treatment Centre (ITTC) has piloted an innovative 4-day intensive trauma program designed to overcome these barriers. The model integrates Prolonged Imaginal Exposure (PE) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR 2.0), delivered through 16 alternating 90-minute sessions over four consecutive days. This immersive approach aims to reduce avoidance, accelerate desensitisation, and promote rapid symptom relief.
Preliminary results show marked reductions in PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms, with participants reporting high satisfaction and no adverse events or dropouts. Clients highlighted the value of immersive engagement and the continuity of care compared with previous experiences of weekly therapy.
This presentation will outline the rationale, structure, and early outcomes of the ITTC program, drawing comparisons with international evidence. Delegates will learn how intensive trauma therapy can improve access, reduce waitlists, and offer timely, effective care for trauma-affected populations in rural settings.
The Intensive Trauma Treatment Centre (ITTC) has piloted an innovative 4-day intensive trauma program designed to overcome these barriers. The model integrates Prolonged Imaginal Exposure (PE) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR 2.0), delivered through 16 alternating 90-minute sessions over four consecutive days. This immersive approach aims to reduce avoidance, accelerate desensitisation, and promote rapid symptom relief.
Preliminary results show marked reductions in PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms, with participants reporting high satisfaction and no adverse events or dropouts. Clients highlighted the value of immersive engagement and the continuity of care compared with previous experiences of weekly therapy.
This presentation will outline the rationale, structure, and early outcomes of the ITTC program, drawing comparisons with international evidence. Delegates will learn how intensive trauma therapy can improve access, reduce waitlists, and offer timely, effective care for trauma-affected populations in rural settings.
Biography
Dr Grant Blake is a Clinical Psychologist in Private Practice, the Clinical Director and co-founder of the Intensive Trauma Treatment Centre (ITTC), a co-founder of Focused Potential, and a forensic mental health researcher in university and public health settings. He regularly provides trauma focused therapy services to people with severe and complex PTSD, including individuals with histories of criminal offending. Dr Blake regularly provides independent expert witness reports for a variety of complex forensic mental health matters. This includes for criminal law, family law, and personal injury. He has a strong interest in symptom validity assessment and works closely with medical practitioners to ensure ADHD evaluations and interventions are accurate, reliable, and safe.
