Trauma
What is trauma?
Trauma is an event and/or series of events that is experienced by the person affected as life-threatening, or physically or emotionally harmful.
Who does it affect?
Trauma has no boundaries. It can affect anybody regardless of their age, gender, social status, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or spirituality.
Effects of trauma
Many people may experience trauma(s) without lasting negative effects. While others may experience any of the following or combination of the following symptoms:
- Chronic physical pains
- Constant headaches or nausea
- Overwhelming sadness and/or fear
- Anger, feeling on edge, and/or lashing out without understanding why
- Hard time connecting with others, forming relationships
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Pulling away from others
- Difficulty adjusting to home or work life
- Excessive use of substances, including alcohol, marijuana, smoking cigarettes, or prescription medications
- Needing to keep busy, whether physically or mentally
Evidence-based treatments
The following are evidence-based treatments for trauma recovery:
EMDR Therapy
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based treatment for trauma and PTSD symptoms.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to assist the brain in reprocessing memories. Bilateral stimulation (BLS) can be side-to-side eye movements, tapping, and/or body movements.
What Does EMDR Treat?
EMDR may be used for trauma, anxiety, depression, OCD, addictions, and chronic pain.
CPT Therapy
What is CPT Therapy?
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is an evidence-based treatment for trauma and PTSD symptoms. It is endorsed by the U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense, as well as the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies, as a best practice for the treatment of PTSD.
How Does CPT Therapy Work?
CPT is a structured treatment that last 12 sessions at 50 minutes per session and provides assignments outside of session to help you become your own personal therapist with your thoughts. The focus of each session is to identify how traumatic experiences impact thoughts and beliefs, and how these influence feelings and behaviors.
What are the goals of cpt?
CPT will:
- Improve understanding of PTSD symptoms
- Reduce distress associated with memories of the traumatic event
- Decrease avoidance of trauma reminders
- Decrease emotional numbing which can include not wanting to feel feelings
- Reduce feeling on edge
- Decrease anxiety, depression, guilt and/or shame
- Improve day-to-day living
TF-CBT Therapy
What is TF-CBT Therapy?
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for trauma and PTSD symptoms in children and adolescents. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recognizes TF-CBT as a model program for addressing trauma in youth.
How Does CPT Therapy Work?
TF-CBT is a structured treatment that last 8-25 sessions at 50 minutes per session where both child and parent(s)/caregiver are involved in treatment. The focus of each session is to identify how traumatic experiences impact thoughts and beliefs, and how these influence feelings and behaviors.
Is a Diagnosis needed for Tf-cbt?
No! A diagnosis of PTSD is not needed to participate in TF-CBT. TF-CBT can also help with:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cognitive problems
- Behavioral problems
- Improve parent/caregiver distress about child's traumatic experience