Evidence-Based Therapies for PTSD: Finding Healing

Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that can significantly impact a person’s daily functioning and quality of life. PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events, ranging from childhood neglect to sexual abuse to workplace bullying to military service and other distressing situations. The symptoms of PTSD can also contribute to the development of additional mental health challenges, including substance use disorders and suicidal ideation. Research indicates that the estimated societal cost of PTSD in the United States exceeds $200 billion.

Evidence-Based Trauma Therapy Approaches

Effective treatment options exist for PTSD, particularly trauma-focused therapy. Studies show that more than half of individuals who receive trauma-focused therapy experience such significant reduction in PTSD symptoms that they no longer meet diagnostic criteria for the disorder. At ReachLink, our licensed clinical social workers are trained in several evidence-based approaches to trauma treatment, including cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, and narrative exposure therapy for specific trauma types.

Cognitive Processing Therapy

The most effective PTSD treatments generally involve verbally processing traumatic memories through therapeutic dialogue with a qualified mental health professional.

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is one such approach. As a specialized form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), CPT focuses primarily on examining and modifying unhelpful thought patterns related to the traumatic experience.

How CPT Addresses Trauma-Related Emotions

Many PTSD symptoms stem from suppressed negative emotions connected to trauma, which may manifest in disturbing ways such as nightmares and flashbacks. Through CPT, our licensed clinical social workers help clients evaluate and change their thoughts about their trauma, which can lead to healthier emotional responses to traumatic memories.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy

Avoidance is a hallmark symptom of PTSD. People struggling with PTSD often avoid people, places, and situations that remind them of their trauma, which can significantly limit their daily functioning. Alternatively, they might attempt to avoid thoughts or emotions related to the trauma, potentially leading to problematic coping behaviors like self-harm or substance misuse.

Confronting Trauma Through PET

Prolonged exposure therapy (PET) is designed to help clients safely confront what they have been avoiding. This therapeutic process helps retrain the brain, body, and nervous system to become less easily triggered. Understanding that situations and feelings related to the trauma won’t cause further harm can substantially decrease PTSD symptoms.

In PET sessions with ReachLink therapists, clients gradually re-engage with situations that have prompted avoidance, starting with less frightening scenarios and progressively working toward those more closely associated with the trauma. Clients learn breathing and relaxation techniques to manage anxiety that may arise during this process.

Therapists and clients may also engage in “imaginal exposure,” where clients verbally process specific details of their trauma in a safe, therapeutic environment. Research suggests this approach can help reduce intrusive PTSD symptoms like flashbacks and nightmares.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy represents a promising treatment for PTSD. A significant concern with many trauma therapies is that engaging with traumatic memories might result in re-traumatization, potentially worsening PTSD symptoms. EMDR therapy addresses this by helping clients enter an alternative mental state where traumatic memories can be processed more safely. While sessions may involve some distress, they typically don’t result in the lasting emotional turmoil that other approaches might trigger.

The Role of Bilateral Stimulation

EMDR sessions incorporate bilateral stimulation techniques, which activate opposite sides of the brain while clients recall aspects of their trauma. This might involve following a therapist’s finger movements with their eyes, receiving alternating taps on the backs of their hands, or holding alternating buzzers. This state is thought to resemble rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

While researchers continue to study the neurological mechanisms behind EMDR, existing evidence supports its effectiveness for PTSD treatment. The American Psychological Association now recommends EMDR as one of the first-line treatments for PTSD due to its demonstrated efficacy.

Narrative Exposure Therapy

Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is particularly effective for specific types of trauma experiences.

Trauma Types Addressed by NET

• Complex trauma: This refers to repeated, ongoing traumatic situations involving formative relationships, such as childhood caregivers or adult intimate partners. Examples include abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and human trafficking.
• Multiple traumas: Similar to complex trauma, multiple traumas involve repeated traumatic experiences over time but typically relate to broader societal issues rather than specific relationships. Examples include community violence, discrimination, war, poverty, imprisonment, and torture.

NET is founded on the principle that the narrative we construct about our lives influences our perception of experiences and overall well-being.

The NET Process

1. Clients develop a chronological narrative of their life, focusing on traumatic experiences while also incorporating positive life events.
2. Therapists guide clients in filling in fragmented traumatic memories, focusing on emotions, thoughts, sensory memories, and physiological responses to the trauma.
3. The therapist creates an autobiographical document summarizing the client’s story, which is provided at the conclusion of treatment.

NET can help clients process and contextualize traumatic experiences, build a sense of personal identity and self-respect, acknowledge their dignity, and better understand their emotional responses to trauma.

Accessing Mental Health Support for Trauma

Working with a licensed clinical social worker using these therapeutic approaches can be essential for recovering from trauma and trauma-related disorders like PTSD. Therapy can help reduce PTSD symptoms and build resilience to trauma, potentially decreasing the likelihood of symptom recurrence.

The Benefits of Telehealth Therapy for Trauma

For many trauma survivors, attending in-person therapy can be stressful or challenging. ReachLink’s telehealth platform offers a beneficial alternative, allowing clients to engage in therapy from the comfort and safety of their own homes.

Research Supporting Telehealth for PTSD Treatment

Peer-reviewed research indicates that telehealth therapy can be as effective as traditional in-person therapy for treating PTSD symptoms. For example, one study found that online CBT (which encompasses cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure therapy) may reduce PTSD symptoms to a similar degree as in-person CBT.

Conclusion

While PTSD can be debilitating, effective treatments are available through ReachLink’s licensed clinical social workers. Cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, and narrative exposure therapy all offer pathways to recovery. Speaking with a qualified ReachLink therapist can help determine which approach might be most beneficial for your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an example of an effective trauma-focused treatment?

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is one highly effective trauma-focused treatment. It’s a specialized form of talk therapy derived from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that focuses on examining and modifying unhelpful thought patterns related to traumatic experiences.