Abstract

This article presents the clinical approach developed by a Canadian biofeedback practitioner for the assessment and treatment of police and military clients, especially those with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The author conducted a clinical practice for more than 25 years primarily with male police and military clients. He examines the impact on treatment effectiveness of a number of factors, such as how police and military clients differ from civilian populations, the definition of trauma in this population, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition; DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria, the assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder, risks and coping factors, consequences of PTSD, DSM-IV conundrums, epidemiology, and other reactions to traumatic events.