Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Counseling

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can occur after exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one or more of the following ways:

    1. Directly experiencing the actual traumatic event
    2. Witnessing the traumatic event as it occurred to others
    3. Learning a traumatic event occurred to a close family member or friend
    4. Experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the traumatic event

 

The individual will experience one or more intrusion symptom(s) associated with the traumatic event such as:

    1. Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive memories of the event
    2. Recurrent distressing dreams in which the affect and/or content is related to the event
    3. Dissociative reactions, such as flashbacks, where the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic event were reoccurring
    4. Intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble aspects of the event
    5. Physical reactions to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the event

The individual may persistently avoid stimuli associated with the traumatic event such as:

    1. Avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the event
    2. Avoid external reminders (i.e., people, places, things, activities, situations, conversations) that arouse distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the event

 

The individual will have negative changes in their cognitions and mood associated with the event, which can include:

    1. Inability to remember important aspects of the event (dissociative amnesia)
    2. Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, and the world
    3. Persistent, distorted cognitions about the cause or consequences of the event that lead the individual to blame themselves or others
    4. Persistent negative emotional state (i.e., fear, guilt, anger, shame)
    5. Diminished interest or participation in significant activities
    6. Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others
    7. Persistent inability to experience positive emotions

 

The individual will experience changes in physical arousal and reactivity associated with the event, which may include:

    1. Irritable behavior and angry outbursts (with little or no provocation), and can be expressed as verbal or physical aggression toward people or objects
    2. Reckless or self-destructive behavior
    3. Hypervigilance
    4. Exaggerated startle response
    5. Problems with concentration
    6. Sleep disturbance

 

Individuals may experience dissociative symptoms which can be either of the following:

    1. Depersonalization, which is persistent or recurrent experiences of feeling detached from one’s mental processes or body (i.e., feeling like an outside observer to oneself)
    2. Derealization, which is persistent or recurrent experiences of unreality of surroundings (i.e., the world is dream-like, unreal, distant, or distorted)

 

Treatment for PTSD

Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Experiential Therapy, and Prolonged Exposure Therapy are some of the evidence-based treatments for PTSD offered by Rosecrans & Associates. Medication may be added to help reduce symptoms. Therapy focuses on improving symptoms, teaching skills to effectively deal with the traumatic event, and restore a sense of self and self-esteem.

 

Our clinicians are trained and have experience in providing these evidence-based treatments for PTSD.
Contact our office at (847) 461-8414

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