PTSD Counseling & Treatment
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PTSD can develop after a person has gone through a traumatic event, and it typically has four main types of symptoms that can include intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions.
Several types of therapy that can help with PTSD symptoms may include cognitive behavioral therapy, stress inoculation therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, present-centered therapy, and cognitive processing therapy. Medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, may also be prescribed by a licensed medical professional to manage symptoms of PTSD. To get started with therapy and receive the help you deserve for this mental illness, you may connect with a therapist in person or through an online therapy platform.
Common symptoms that arise after traumatic experiences
In general, there are four main groups of PTSD symptoms:
Intrusive memories
Symptoms of intrusive memories may include:
- Recurring and involuntary memories of the traumatic event
- Continually reliving the event in question
- Nightmares regarding said event
- Severe anxiety or other negative thoughts, feelings (some who experience PTSD feel guilty, shameful, etc.), or physical reactions (increased heart rate, etc.) when exposed to a reminder of the traumatic experience
Avoidance
Symptoms of avoidance can include the following:
- Avoiding all places, people, or situations which may remind one of the traumatic event
- Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the event
Negative changes in mood
Negative mood changes may include the following:
- Despair or hopelessness about the future
- Negative thoughts or feelings about oneself; low self-esteem
- Repressed memories regarding the traumatic experience
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
- Difficulty maintaining close relationships
- Feelings of emotional numbness
- Impaired ability to experience joy
Changes in physical and emotional reactions
Changes in physical and emotional reactions can include:
- Being easily frightened (“jumpy”)
- Persistent vigilance against danger and potential threats
- Reckless and self-destructive behavior, such as driving too fast or engaging in the abuse of illicit drugs and other substances
- Issues with sleep or getting enough rest
- Difficulty eating or adhering to a healthy diet
- Difficulty focusing
- Irritability and hair-trigger temper
- Feelings of guilt or shame regarding the traumatic event
Options for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) counseling
Cognitive behavioral therapy for PTSD
A therapist practicing a form of psychotherapy like CBT may methodically break down the causes of the client's emotions and help them to fully understand that experiencing the trauma was not their fault and that there is no need to feel guilt or shame regarding those events. Much like those participating in other forms of therapy, CBT patients may learn to evaluate their thoughts and feelings and replace the negative with the positive. This part of CBT can help reduce the anxiety and depression associated with traumatic events. This type of treatment is mostly used by the therapist for complex post-traumatic stress disorder as well as other anxiety disorders.
Stress inoculation training
A person can also experience relief with stress inoculation training (SIT). This type of CBT can help people with PTSD or complex PTSD, learn how to cope with traumatic events and manage their symptoms.
SIT has strong research support as a treatment for PTSD. Studies show it can significantly reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression in people with PTSD and other mental health conditions.
Prolonged exposure therapy
People with PTSD may avoid situations, activities, and thoughts that remind them of a dangerous or fearful life event or the traumatic experience that happened, which can prevent them from living their life to the fullest and negatively affect them in other ways.
Prolonged exposure therapy, or repeatedly discussing a traumatic event with a mental health professional, can gradually decrease the intensity of the feelings associated with it and make them seem less overwhelming.
The method utilized in prolonged exposure therapy is typically called gradual exposure. This process may not be easy, but it can offer a road to eventual recovery.
EMDR therapy
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR therapy, is generally an eight-phase treatment that can help those affected by PTSD process traumatic events and resolve lingering emotional, mental, and bodily distress connected to said trauma.
This PTSD treatment can even be useful for those who experienced trauma long before they were able to verbalize or truly understand what was happening. Among treatment methods for processing or reprocessing, EMDR is often considered especially useful for those who have a hard time talking about their traumatic experiences.
During EMDR therapy, the patient usually relives triggering experiences while the therapist directs their attention using guided eye movements.
The back-and-forth movement of the eyes can mimic the processing response our brains go through during REM sleep and may allow the client to be exposed to the trauma or thoughts without having a strong psychological reaction. Over time, this may allow them to process traumatic memories, lessening the impact that the memories or thoughts once had.
EMDR can improve symptoms of PTSD, particularly those related to intrusive memories and avoidance, and decrease negative feelings associated with the traumatic event.
Present-centered therapy
Present-centered therapy (PCT) is typically a time-limited PTSD treatment that usually focuses on helping patients understand and identify the PTSD symptoms that may affect their ability to function. Treatment with PCT may involve homework for patients; for example, patients may be asked to complete problem-solving and coping skills problems, which have the potential to help them gain control over their condition.
Cognitive processing therapy
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) can be similar to CBT in that they both normally focus on helping patients transform their thought patterns from negative to positive. But, where CBT tends to be broadly applicable as a treatment for many conditions, CPT tends to be exclusively focused on PTSD.
Online options for PTSD therapy after a traumatic event
If you’re considering treatment for PTSD, online therapy can be a reachable and convenient option. If you have difficulty leaving your home or live in a remote area, online therapy may offer options you might not have otherwise had. Online therapy also tends to be more affordable than traditional therapy.
As we mentioned above, CBT can be a common therapy for PTSD. It tends to also be one of the most well-studied therapy options for treating PTSD online. U.S. Veterans Affairs has studied whether patients respond effectively to online CBT compared to traditional in-person therapy. One recent study looked at 132 veterans and found that delivering CBT online can be as good as conducting therapy in person.
Takeaway
PTSD can have a variety of challenging symptoms, potentially including avoidance, negative changes in mood, intrusive memories, and changes in emotional and physical reactions. There can be many therapy approaches that may effectively treat PTSD, including present-centered therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, stress inoculation training, cognitive behavioral therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, and cognitive processing therapy. A doctor may also prescribe certain medications to treat PTSD symptoms, such as anti-anxiety medications. Please don’t hesitate to get the mental and emotional support you deserve by seeking out a therapist in your local area or connecting with a licensed mental health professional online.
Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked about PTSD counseling options.
Does counseling help with PTSD?
Yes. In fact, counseling and psychotherapy are some of the most commonly recommended interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder.
What happens if PTSD is left untreated?
Like in other mental health conditions, when PTSD goes untreated for substantial portions of time, it can lead to a worsening in the severity and frequency of symptoms. These symptoms may become intrusive enough that someone is unable to work, take care of themselves, or maintain relationships.
What type of mental health therapy is best for PTSD? Is it exposure therapy?
Graded exposure therapy is one tool that can alleviate PTSD symptoms and help someone feel safe again. Research studies also suggest that trauma-focused CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) can be an effective intervention.
What happens at PTSD counseling or therapy sessions?
First, your practitioner will have you fill out intake forms where you describe the severity and types of symptoms you’re having. During therapy sessions, your practitioner will conduct psychotherapy and help you develop research-based strategies for managing symptoms.
What is the best type of behavioral therapy for PTSD?
Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the primary therapies recommended for treatment of PTSD per the American Psychological Association. Cognitive processing therapy is another suggested behavioral therapy that has the benefit of focusing specifically on processing and recovering from traumatic events.
What are some strategies to help with PTSD?
Strategies that can alleviate PTSD symptoms with cognitive techniques, exposure to avoided circumstances, and relaxation techniques like mindfulness or deep breathing. A therapist can introduce you to these interventions.
What is the ideal counseling or therapy approach for PTSD?
The ideal therapeutic approach to PTSD is one that is nonjudgmental and trauma-informed, such as using certain therapies like cognitive processing therapy.
What is the gold-standard treatment for PTSD?
The American Psychological Association recommends cognitive therapies as the main treatment for PTSD. A physician may also prescribe medicines like paroxetine or sertraline in addition to therapy. Note that you may have to undergo a physical exam prior to starting medications. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and narrative exposure therapy (NET) are also recommended in some cases.
How long does PTSD take to heal after a traumatic event?
After a traumatic event (or series of events) such as abuse, sexual assault, or life-threatening situations, it’s normal and healthy to experience difficult emotions and memories. Many to most people are able to process these events and proceed living a healthy life. In the event that someone experiences symptoms for more than a month or so, they may be diagnosed with PTSD. The amount of time it takes to recover varies from a few months to a few years, and depends on the individual.
Can PTSD ever go away?
Yes, it’s possible to recover from posttraumatic stress disorder with professional help such as therapy and medication, as well as social support from loved ones.
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