Zoom link for registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_A6MNmCp5TxuUabboJDpeFQ

Learning objectives:

• Identify the issue of dropout from trauma treatment
• Discuss engagement of patients in evidence-based treatments for trauma
• Explain how sociodemographic factors may influence the onset and course of trauma treatment

Dr. Bita Ghafoori is a Professor of Counseling Psychology, Department Chair, and Director of the California State University Long Beach (CSULB) Long Beach Trauma Recovery Center. For over 15 years she has studied psychosocial adaptation to crime, violence, and disasters; cultural models of mental illness and service utilization; and the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practices for delivery of mental health services to trauma exposed adults and underserved populations. She has lectured nationally and internationally on these topics. 

Citations Used for Presentation:

1. Gonçalves, M., Martinho, G., & Ghafoori, B. (2024). Trauma-focused treatments for victims of interpersonal violence: A comparison of treatment interventions and outcomes. Psychotherapy research: Journal of the Society for Psychotherapy Research, 1–14. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2024.2353890
2. Bisson, J. I., & Olff, M. (2021). Prevention and treatment of PTSD: the current evidence base. European journal of Psychotraumatology, 12(1), 1824381. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2020.1824381
3. Sciarrino, N. A., Bartlett, B. A., Smith, L. J., Martin, C. E., & Williams, W. (2022). Factors contributing to PTSD treatment dropout in veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan: A systematic review. Psychological services, 19(1), 183–200. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000519
4. Ghafoori, B., Matos, M., & Gonçalves, M. (2022). Dropout from evidence-based trauma treatment in a community mental health clinic serving victims of interpersonal violence. Journal of traumatic stress, 35(3), 1025–1041. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22811
5. Fly, J., Felix, E., & Ghafoori, B. (2025). Factors Associated with Treatment Duration in a Trauma-Focused Community Mental Health Setting. Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 15(7), 944. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15070944