Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
About PTSD
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is characterized by an individual experiencing prolonged distress in response to an event that involves serious injury or death (or a threat of these) to them or someone else. This response includes repeated distressing thoughts of the event, avoidance of people, places, thoughts or emotions that remind a person of the traumatic event, as well as heightened anxiety or arousal that may cause an exaggerated startle response, decreased sleep, poor concentration, and/or increased irritability. When these symptoms continue for a month or more after a traumatic event, a person may have PTSD.
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) is a psychological condition that can develop in individuals who have experienced prolonged and repetitive trauma, often within interpersonal relationships or captivity situations. It encompasses a range of symptoms that go beyond the typical manifestations of PTSD, including difficulties with emotional regulation, distorted self-perception, persistent feelings of shame and guilt, impaired interpersonal relationships, and a pervasive sense of helplessness and hopelessness. C-PTSD can have a profound impact on a person’s daily functioning, affecting their ability to trust, maintain healthy boundaries, and navigate life with a sense of safety and stability.
Evidence-based Treatments for PTSD
PTSD is most effectively treated through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approaches designed to teach individuals about their symptoms and identify and practice strategies to overcome them. The Reeds Center provides different types of empirically supported treatment for PTSD and Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), including:
STAIR-NT (Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation / Narrative Therapy)
STAIR-NT (Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation / Narrative Therapy) is a therapy that helps people with PTSD and complex PTSD strengthen their emotional regulation and interpersonal connections before engaging in the narrative processing of traumatic events. Based in attachment and learning theories, STAIR-NT has been highly effective at helping people recover from multiple, complex traumatic experiences such as childhood sexual and physical abuse and neglect.
CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy)
CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy) is a time-limited therapy that helps individuals with trauma understand how those experiences have affected their beliefs about themselves, other people, and the world. CPT helps people practice and reinforce new beliefs that are based on non-traumatic experiences and observations, and can include exposure processing of traumatic events.
PE (Prolonged Exposure)
PE (Prolonged Exposure) has wide empirical support for helping people reduce their PTSD symptoms and improve functioning. In this therapy, individuals learn to interrupt the self-reinforcing cycles of fear and avoidance that maintain PTSD symptoms such as flashbacks. In order to build their ability to tolerate the difficult emotions that traumatic memories evoke, the therapist and the client develop imaginal and in vivo exposures. Imaginal work typically involves reading or listening to a detailed account of the traumatic event, while in vivo exposures typically involve graduated exercises where people intentionally approach situations that evoke difficult emotions related to the traumatic event.
When PTSD or C-PTSD occur along with other disorders, Reeds clinicians engage in careful assessment of the relationship between the symptoms of PTSD or C-PTSD and the other difficulties. Based on this assessment, clinicians review their treatment plan with the client and agree on a course of action, which may include additional therapy, more intensive therapy, and/or medication or other biological interventions. Reeds clinicians coordinate with other mental health care providers in order to come up with a coherent treatment plan to maximize treatment outcomes.
We Offer Online and In-Person Sessions to Treat PTSD
Request an appointment to learn more about how we can help you with PTSD
FAQs
It’s important to understand that the development of PTSD is influenced by a combination of factors, including the nature of the event, personal vulnerabilities like past trauma and adverse childhood experiences, biological and genetic factors, coping strategies and support systems, and subjective experience of the trauma. The development of PTSD is a complex interaction between these factors and can vary from person to person. Additionally, the timing and effectiveness of receiving appropriate support and treatment following a traumatic event can significantly influence the risk of developing PTSD.
It’s important to understand that the development of PTSD is influenced by a combination of factors, including the nature of the event, personal vulnerabilities like past trauma and adverse childhood experiences, biological and genetic factors, coping strategies and support systems, and subjective experience of the trauma. The development of PTSD is a complex interaction between these factors and can vary from person to person. Additionally, the timing and effectiveness of receiving appropriate support and treatment following a traumatic event can significantly influence the risk of developing PTSD.
Medication is not a standalone treatment for PTSD or C-PTSD. Combining medication with evidence-based therapies like CBT has been shown to be the most effective approach for addressing the underlying causes of PTSD and C-PTSD and helping individuals recover. CBT can provide you with tools to challenge and modify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, process traumatic memories, and develop effective coping strategies. Individuals can find healing, regain control over their lives, and cultivate a renewed sense of self-worth and empowerment
Medication is not a standalone treatment for PTSD or C-PTSD. Combining medication with evidence-based therapies like CBT has been shown to be the most effective approach for addressing the underlying causes of PTSD and C-PTSD and helping individuals recover. CBT can provide you with tools to challenge and modify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, process traumatic memories, and develop effective coping strategies. Individuals can find healing, regain control over their lives, and cultivate a renewed sense of self-worth and empowerment
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