Treatments: modalities
Treatments are tailored to the individual, and decided upon mutually between participant and counsellor. The pace of treatment is determined ultimately by the participant and is respected by the counsellor.
Education
Understanding one's condition and what is a "normal" reaction to stress is critical to recover. It prevents a person from getting down on himself or herself, helps in setting appropriate expectations for recovery, instilling hope, and ultimately, speeding recovery.
Exposure Therapy
This approach addresses the coping strategy of avoidance by gradually exposing people to memories of the incident(s). Initially the exposure is via visualization. Emotional reactivity to memories (and reminders of) the incident(s) are reduced, as well as the frequency of flashbacks. If the individual needs to return to the environment in which the event(s) occurred, real life exposure is implemented when there is sufficient comfort through visualization. Strategies are set very conservatively, and client driven, so comfort will be maximized.
More on exposure therapy...
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Another exposure-based therapy is EMDR, which has been shown to be approximately as successful as graduated exposure in scientific literature. This also involves a desensitization process through visualization, with a gradual increase in the ability of the individual to remember the incident without a strong emotional response.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
This approach involves the development of mental and behavioural coping strategies in dealing with the fears and emotional triggers related to the incident. It is also one of the treatments of choice for depression.
Emotion Focussed Trauma Therapy (EFTT)
While exposure therapy has been found to be helpful in reducing many PTSD symptoms, EFTT has been found to be effective in addressing experiences which may be secondary to trauma, such as victimization, anger, loss, or self condemnation. Emotion Focussed Therapy has also been shown to be one of the most effective methods to treat depression.
Biofeedback/Neurofeedback
Heart rhythm biofeedback allows in individual to train heart rate rhythms to produce states of coherence through breath training. Neurofeedback uses EEG brain waves to train the brain to calm itself. These are advanced methods to reduce arousal, anxiety and irritability which are associated with PTSD.
More on Biofeedback...
Psychological Education Group Program
Group treatment has been shown to be one of the most promising methods in the treatment of PTSD and depression. Social support through group processes is a very important part of the program. Members will learn from the struggles and successes of others, and be able to pass on some of their own success stories. An educational approach is also very important as it helps participants understand operational stress injuries and how to manage them.
OPTIONAL TREATMENTS
Couple/Family Consultations
An education program will be provided for those family members who are available. Topics will include those above, but also focus on family and marriage issues related to the recovery from PTSD and depression.
Consultation, tailored to the needs of each couple, will also be provided as necessary in the development of coping strategies related to the recovery from PTSD and depression. Topics would normally include support strategies, communication and conflict resolution skills.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine/Therapies (CAM)
Use of CAM is widespread for the management of mental health problems, including PTSD
Education
Understanding one's condition and what is a "normal" reaction to stress is critical to recover. It prevents a person from getting down on himself or herself, helps in setting appropriate expectations for recovery, instilling hope, and ultimately, speeding recovery.
Exposure Therapy
This approach addresses the coping strategy of avoidance by gradually exposing people to memories of the incident(s). Initially the exposure is via visualization. Emotional reactivity to memories (and reminders of) the incident(s) are reduced, as well as the frequency of flashbacks. If the individual needs to return to the environment in which the event(s) occurred, real life exposure is implemented when there is sufficient comfort through visualization. Strategies are set very conservatively, and client driven, so comfort will be maximized.
More on exposure therapy...
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Another exposure-based therapy is EMDR, which has been shown to be approximately as successful as graduated exposure in scientific literature. This also involves a desensitization process through visualization, with a gradual increase in the ability of the individual to remember the incident without a strong emotional response.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
This approach involves the development of mental and behavioural coping strategies in dealing with the fears and emotional triggers related to the incident. It is also one of the treatments of choice for depression.
Emotion Focussed Trauma Therapy (EFTT)
While exposure therapy has been found to be helpful in reducing many PTSD symptoms, EFTT has been found to be effective in addressing experiences which may be secondary to trauma, such as victimization, anger, loss, or self condemnation. Emotion Focussed Therapy has also been shown to be one of the most effective methods to treat depression.
Biofeedback/Neurofeedback
Heart rhythm biofeedback allows in individual to train heart rate rhythms to produce states of coherence through breath training. Neurofeedback uses EEG brain waves to train the brain to calm itself. These are advanced methods to reduce arousal, anxiety and irritability which are associated with PTSD.
More on Biofeedback...
Psychological Education Group Program
Group treatment has been shown to be one of the most promising methods in the treatment of PTSD and depression. Social support through group processes is a very important part of the program. Members will learn from the struggles and successes of others, and be able to pass on some of their own success stories. An educational approach is also very important as it helps participants understand operational stress injuries and how to manage them.
OPTIONAL TREATMENTS
Couple/Family Consultations
An education program will be provided for those family members who are available. Topics will include those above, but also focus on family and marriage issues related to the recovery from PTSD and depression.
Consultation, tailored to the needs of each couple, will also be provided as necessary in the development of coping strategies related to the recovery from PTSD and depression. Topics would normally include support strategies, communication and conflict resolution skills.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine/Therapies (CAM)
Use of CAM is widespread for the management of mental health problems, including PTSD
- trauma yoga
- biofeedback (HeartMath)
- EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing)
- music therapy
- art therapy
- equine therapy
- meditation / mindfulness
- nutrition