Treatment of Trauma

Several treatments can help people with trauma manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

• Therapy

Therapy is the first line of treatment for trauma. Ideally, one works with a therapist who is traumatized or focused on trauma.

• CBT Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behavior, addresses current problems and symptoms; and focuses on changing patterns of behavior, thoughts, and feelings that lead to dysfunction.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy determines how changes in each area can improve function in other areas. For example, changing unhelpful thinking can lead to healthier behavior and better emotion regulation. It usually lasts 12-16 sessions in an individual or group format.

• DBT Therapy

DBT for trauma offers increased self-control and can help you feel strong in your life here and now. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) was initially developed in the 1980s as a specialized form of cognitive-behavioral therapy for treating borderline personality disorder. Recently, DBT has been used to treat other conditions and is especially helpful for PTSD. This therapy is based on Zen Buddhist philosophy and contemplative practice principles. For example, the term "dialectical" refers to the synthesis of opposites, a fundamental aspect of Zen practice.

• EMDR Therapy

A structured therapy that encourages the patient to briefly focus on the memory of the trauma while experiencing bilateral stimulation (usually eye movement) associated with reduced clarity and emotion related to the memory of the trauma.

EMDR is an individual therapy usually done 1-2 times weekly for 6-12 sessions. It differs from other trauma-focused treatments in that it does not involve prolonged contact with distressing memories, detailed descriptions of the trauma, challenging beliefs, or homework.