PAA & CRC’s Psychological Trauma Program

PAA & CRC’s Psychological Trauma Program: FINAL Outcomes

The Canadian Red Cross (CRC) approved funding to the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA) on 01 April 2017 under their Alberta Wildfires 2016: Community Organization Partnership Program for a program that was completed June 2020.

Funding was used to directly resource psychological trauma assessment & trauma treatment. Outcome informed practices (OIP) were employed to empirically validate treatment response. OIP aligns with PAA’s mandate of advancing the science-based profession of psychology by using the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS).

16 approved psychologists provided trauma-informed services to 349 clients over 3 years with the ORS completed at 5-session intervals.

Results indicates a very low level of functioning. Perceived well being among clients at intake and, for adults, that overall average functioning & well-being increased over the treatment period with average results indicating a 65%, 57% and a 100% reported increase in perceived well-being by the 5^th, 10^th, and 15^th session, respectively.

Treatment made a significant difference for clients.

Recommendations:

• Screening is required and must be trauma informed.
• Children and youth have unique needs and risks to address.
• Address barriers to men’s access to psychological treatment.
• Funding should be for 15+ sessions and barrier removal.

The Mission of the PAA is to advance the science-based profession of psychology and to promote the well-being and potential of all Albertans.

PAA applauds the resiliency of all impacted by the 2016 Wood Buffalo Wildfires

Read full report and overview below