What Is Cognitive Processing Therapy
A traumatic experience can change the way you see the world or the way you think about yourself. In cognitive processing therapy , your therapist will help you change thought patterns connected to your trauma. CPT involves cognitive therapy and writing exercises.
You may do CPT with just your therapist or as part of a group. Your therapist will ask you to write about the traumatic event, such as why you think it happened and the way it has affected your thinking. You will share your writing in your therapy sessions.
Through your CPT sessions, you will learn how thoughts and emotions are connected. Your therapist will help you identify automatic thoughts that may be contributing to your PTSD, and help you gain skills to shift these ways of thinking. Once you gain these skills, you will be able to use them to help reduce PTSD symptoms even after your CPT therapy has ended.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy For Ptsd
A study held in 2018 took 202 US veterans or service members, including those with traumatic brain injuries, and tested them with ART.
The result was that those who took part were relieved of symptoms in an average of four sessions.
The study stated that ART was an emerging trauma-focused psychotherapy with a solid theoretical base, and a treatment protocol that is clinically consistent with current PTSD treatment guidelines.
What Is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Posttraumatic stress disorder is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, or rape or who have been threatened with death, sexual violence or serious injury.
PTSD has been known by many names in the past, such as shell shock during the years of World War I and combat fatigue after World War II, but PTSD does not just happen to combat veterans. PTSD can occur in all people, of any ethnicity, nationality or culture, and at any age. PTSD affects approximately 3.5 percent of U.S. adults every year, and an estimated one in 11 people will be diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime. Women are twice as likely as men to have PTSD. Three ethnic groups U.S. Latinos, African Americans, and American Indians are disproportionately affected and have higher rates of PTSD than non-Latino whites.
People with PTSD have intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the traumatic event has ended. They may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares they may feel sadness, fear or anger and they may feel detached or estranged from other people. People with PTSD may avoid situations or people that remind them of the traumatic event, and they may have strong negative reactions to something as ordinary as a loud noise or an accidental touch.
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What Are The Best Types Of Therapy For Ptsd
The same way we all react differently to traumatic circumstances, we may also have different responses to psychotherapy. What works for one person may not be the same thing that works for you and your symptoms.
However, clinical accounts and research-based evidence seem to point to a few therapy approaches as the most effective when treating PTSD and trauma.
Inpatient Versus Outpatient Treatment For Ptsd
Residential or inpatient treatment for PTSD can provide you with an intensive supportive environment. This may be especially valuable if youre facing difficulties at home that might interfere with your recovery, or if you have symptoms of complex post-traumatic stress disorder .
In some inpatient facilities, besides psychotherapy, you may also have the chance to engage in other techniques, from support groups to yoga, art therapy, and meditation. This could help you focus all your energy on feeling better and healing from trauma.
You may also have access to a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, occupational therapists, and social workers.
You might spend between 30 and 90 days in inpatient care.
Outpatient care may look different from inpatient, and within outpatient care facilities, what they offer may vary.
In some cases, you may have partial hospitalization care. This means that you might spend 4 to 6 hours per day in a specialized clinic, and then return home.
In other cases, you might go about your daily activities and visit a facility a few times a day for specific activities and therapy sessions. You may also be able to bring your loved ones with you for some of these sessions and activities.
Telehealth and online therapy where you consult a mental health pro or doctor via Zoom, FaceTime, or phone has boomed in the past years. But is it effective for someone living with PTSD?
Torn believes so, and has conducted online sessions of EMDR successfully.
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How To Choose The Right Treatment
Choosing the right form of therapy can seem like an overwhelming and daunting task. The most important thing to consider is how well the type of treatment meets individual goals and preferences.
Identifying specific client goals is the first step. This motivation and goal-setting worksheet is a great place to start.
Clarifying specific goals and motivation for therapy can lead clients to the most appropriate treatment modalities.
For example, if an individual wants to decrease their levels of anxiety or get rid of a phobia, looking for a therapist who specializes in exposure therapy and anxiety disorders would be a good place to start.
If a couple is torn between staying together and splitting up, a couples therapy approach of discernment counseling might be the best option.
These questions and goals are ideal after considering practical issues such as whether insurance will cover mental health costs, what is affordable, and what services are offered in the clientâs geographical area. A doctor or professional in the field may be able to provide specific referrals.
Try Yoga Or Meditation
Recent studies have shown that meditation and yoga are helpful complementary therapies for people with PTSD.
While yoga or meditation may not provide complete relief from symptoms, researchers recommend them as additions to therapy and medication.
Yoga may help you regulate your breathing, increase your awareness of your body, and respond to changing emotions.
Meditation may help you redirect your attention to the present moment, giving you a greater sense of control over intrusive memories.
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Children And Young People
Trauma-focused CBT is usually recommended for children and young people with PTSD.
This normally involves a course of 6 to 12 sessions that have been adapted to suit the child’s age, circumstances and level of development.
Where appropriate, treatment includes consulting with and involving the child’s family.
Children who do not respond to trauma-focused CBT may be offered EMDR.
What Is Accelerated Resolution Therapy
Developed in 2008 by Laney Rosenzweig, a marriage and family therapist, ART came out of Rosenzweigs experience with different types of treatment. In particular, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing .
Rosenzweig created standardized guidelines based on different therapies, along with modified EMDR practices.
It was officially recognized as an evidence-based therapy in 2015 by the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices.
EMDR, Gestalt, cognitive behavioral therapy , and brief psychodynamic therapy are all incorporated into ART.
By using techniques such as rapid eye-movement, exposure, imagery rescripting, and guided imagery, ART practitioners are able to change how stress-inducing images are stored in the brain.
ART works by asking an individual to recall a memory, which the therapist then helps them to shift to something more positive. They do this by employing imagery rescripting.
Research has shown that individuals using ART tend to have a faster recovery. In fact, the goal is to be able to either decrease or eliminate the clients symptoms in one to four sessions.
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Eye Movement And Reprocessing Therapy
Eye movement and reprocessing therapy was developed in the 1990s and, while it has been clinically validated, the mechanism of its action is not completely understood. This form of therapy was developed by American psychologist Francine Shapiro when she noticed that certain eye movements reduced the intensity of disturbing thoughts.
EMDR therapy involves a certain sequence of phases paired with eye movements to help the client process unresolved memories and heal from them. It is commonly used to help patients recover from trauma and other upsetting life experiences including anxiety, depression, panic disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
How Does It Work
PTSD may be related to changes in the brain that are linked to our ability to manage stress. People with PTSD appear to have different amounts of certain chemicals in the brain than people without PTSD. The 4 recommended SSRIs and SNRIs are believed to treat PTSD by putting these brain chemicals back in balance.
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Types Of Therapy For Ptsd
Trauma can be sexual, psychological, emotional, or physical. Determining what the best therapy for trauma is can be a bit tricky, as you will need to know the differing types of PTSD first. Various types of therapy exist depending on your PTSD severity. Once you discover the best type of therapy for you, it can teach you how to identify and manage triggers so you can regain control of your life.
Prescription medications for PTSD may also be used as a treatment option along with therapy, to maximize benefits, especially in the initial stages of healing. However, the goal of therapy is to teach you how to learn to anticipate, recognize, and cope with your symptoms, not rely on pharmaceuticals long-term.
A common goal of all types of PTSD therapy is to teach you effective coping skills to manage your condition. This can include things like relaxation meditations, breathing control , stress-busting exercises, and healthy eating and sleeping habits. All of these can contribute to how you feel at any given moment. Learning new skills that might enhance the rest of your life is worth the time and energy youll invest into your therapy.
Where & When To Find Ptsd Treatment
When seeking help for PTSD, people should first see their primary care physician to address any physical causes for the symptoms. While there is no specific timeframe for getting help, patients are encouraged to seek help as soon as they identify that the problem is persistently affecting their lives negatively. After addressing any health issues with a PCP, patients should seek help from a mental health provider. Look for someone who has experience in trauma-informed care, and dont be afraid to ask ahead of the first meeting whether they specialize in recovery from trauma.
People might begin the search for a therapist by asking their family and friends for recommendations or checking with their insurance provider to find an in-network therapist this often helps lower therapy costs. Alternatively, they could begin with an online therapist directory, which allows filtering by insurance coverage, location, gender, specialty, and more.
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Beyond Treatment: How Can I Help Myself
It may be very hard to take that first step to help yourself. It is important to realize that although it may take some time, with treatment, you can get better. If you are unsure where to go for help, ask your family doctor. You can also check NIMH’s Help for Mental Illnesses page or search online for mental health providers, social services, hotlines, or physicians for phone numbers and addresses. An emergency room doctor can also provide temporary help and can tell you where and how to get further help.
To help yourself while in treatment:
- Talk with your doctor about treatment options
- Engage in mild physical activity or exercise to help reduce stress
- Set realistic goals for yourself
- Break up large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what you can as you can
- Try to spend time with other people, and confide in a trusted friend or relative. Tell others about things that may trigger symptoms.
- Expect your symptoms to improve gradually, not immediately
- Identify and seek out comforting situations, places, and people
Caring for yourself and others is especially important when large numbers of people are exposed to traumatic events .
Medications To Avoid When Treating Ptsd
While searching for medications to help manage symptoms of PTSD, keep in mind that some medications are actually associated with worsening anxiety and PTSD symptoms. They are also addictive substances, raising the risk of substance use disorder.
Medications to avoid in the treatment of PTSD include:
Benzodiazepines
This may be counterintuitive, since benzodiazepines are also used to manage some symptoms associated with PTSD and anxiety, but research has shown that these are not effective in treating PTSD long-term. While they can provide short-term relief to someone experiencing a panic attack, over time, they can even worsen PTSD symptoms.5 Benzodiazepines are also highly addictive and are often prescribed as a last resort.
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants, such as Adderall, are typically used to treat conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder . These would not typically be prescribed for PTSD however, if someone with PTSD had a pre-existing ADHD diagnosis or experiences symptoms such as brain fog and memory problems, they may seek out stimulants to compensate for their deficits. A person with PTSD becomes at high risk for a substance use disorder if using stimulants.5
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Benefits Of Approving Psilocybin To Treat Ptsd
Supporters of using psychedelic drugs to help patients lessen their anxiety feel strongly that these drugs should be made available in a safe and supportive medical setting. In Dr. Rosss study, the majority of participants reported having a positive experience that helped them feel less afraid. If these drugs can have such a success rate, then what could possibly be the reason for them not being legal?
Drugs can be either chemically or psychologically addictive. When the cells in a persons body cannot function without a certain drug, that person is chemically addicted to the drug. In contrast, when someone is psychologically addicted to a drug, they think that they desperately need it, but their body doesnt actually physically need it to function. Psilocybin is not chemically addictive like drugs such as nicotine and is also not known to have strong negative effects.
Utilitarianism is a doctrine used in ethics that says that an action is right insofar as it promotes happiness, and that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the guiding principle of conduct. When a drug is in the process of being approved, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration uses this doctrine to determine whether it will lead to the greatest overall happiness. Supporters believe that because the drug is not that bad for you and has shown to have positive effects, the good definitely outweighs the bad.
Ways To Help A Loved One With Ptsd Treatment
If someone is concerned about a family member, friend, or relationship partner who struggles with PTSD, there are ways to demonstrate support, such as learning more about PTSD, offer assistance, and provide space.
Here are nine ways to provide support and encouragement to someone undergoing PTSD treatment:
Equally important are the actions to avoid taking, as they can increase distress for your loved one. Things to avoid doing with someone who has PTSD include:
- Avoid giving advice about their specific treatment plan. Leave that to the mental health professional
- Dont insist that they tell you about the trauma
If you are in a situation where your loved one is experiencing great distress and emergency services are needed, make sure you contact:
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
- 9-1-1 for a life-threatening emergency
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Finding A Provider Using The Internet
These resources can help you locate a therapist, counselor, or mental health provider who is right for you. Note: These resources can be used by anyone, but if you are a Veteran, also see the “Help for Veterans” section below.
- Sidran Institute Help Desk will help you find therapists who specialize in trauma treatment. or call the Help Desk at 825-8888.
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America offers a therapist search by location and mental health disorder. Call 485-1011 or email.
- Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies offers a search of licensed therapists who offer cognitive or behavioral therapies.
- EMDR International Association has a locator listing professionals who provide EMDR.
- ISTSS Clinician Directory is a service provided by the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies that lets you consider many factors in searching for a clinician, counselor, or mental health professional.
- American Psychological Association has a Psychologist Locator that allows you to search by location, specialty, insurance accepted, and gender of provider.
- Psychology Today, offers a therapist directory by location. You can also find treatment centers here.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a Mental Health Services Locator by location and type of facility . Call for assistance 24 hours a day 1-800-662-HELP .
Dual Diagnosis Ptsd Treatment At Northpoint Recovery
If you or a loved one is dealing with PTSD, please do not hesitate to reach out to the dedicated team at Northpoint Recovery. Our dual diagnosis treatment program can help you better understand and manage your symptoms to get back to living the life you deserve. Your dual diagnosis therapy plan may include these effective PTSD treatment options.
Take control of your future by getting help to manage your PTSD symptoms. Call today to get started.
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