Addressing PTSD Through Trauma Focused CBT

By Donald Cox


Childhood trauma can be particularly debilitating. Although it is often reasoned out that a particular child is too young to remember some bad experience of sorts, that is not always the case. In fact, the consequences can translate to some ramifications in his or her adult life. To prevent this, they should benefit from a trauma focused cbt Nyack.

There are many factors that lead to the formation and perception of trauma. Most likely, it has formed because of the unexpected nature of the experience, since the child or teen is not particularly prepared or cushioned for it. Therefore, the shock can be particularly debilitating. As it is, diverse events are easily traumatic when they happen during ones childhood.

Trauma, especially when incurred early, can greatly impinge on a young persons development. It affects how they deal and go through life in general. And they may act out in feelings of anger, powerlessness, anxiety, depression, self blame, and guilt. It goes without saying that these feelings should not be allowed to last for long. Therefore, early intervention in the form of TFCBT is necessary.

The TFCBT is delivered by mental health professionals, who may specifically be psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors or social workers. However, they are required to be certified and registered in the practice of TFCBT. Being accordingly licensed means they have undertaken the certifying training course.

If they are seeming bothered by recurring thoughts about a particular experience, or else are giving symptoms of emotional numbness, then these are, needless to say, striking red flags. Or else there may be symptoms that are seemingly discrete or less serious, like concentration problems and sleep issues. It is also noticeable that these traumatized persons evince extreme emotional and physical responses or general vexation upon reminder of a particular trauma inducing event.

The client spectrum of TFCBT is wide and diverse. Persons who experienced, especially repeatedly, episodes of physical, mental, emotional, or sexual abuse have all developed posttraumatic symptoms. Different ends of the continuum, like violence and grief, are givens as well.

Suffice it to say that if the destructive behavior of a particular child or adolescent, like behavioral problems, suicidal ideation, or substance abuse, is likely due to a traumatic event, then they would do well to benefit from TFCBT. However, where the factors are synergized, they could also perhaps benefit from the dialectical behavior therapy.

Among the primary treatment approaches in this regard is cognitive processing. With this method, the clients are made to draw connections between their experiences, behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. This is necessary because in the case of trauma, only the traumatic experience and feeling takes precedence in an obsessive way, and the patients are not able to focus on other aspects, that which could have made them take things into perspective. In due course, they are able to replace unhelpful and harmful thoughts and focus on the more helpful and healthful aspects, that which will make them improve and be better.

There is a whole host of benefits to be gleaned with TFCBT. For one, the patients are taught anxiety management through relaxation. They are also taught emotional regulation and healthy expression. Proper ways of coping are integrated, as well as putting the trauma narrative into perspective and working through maladaptive thoughts like self blame. There is an in vivo exposure of sorts, so that the client may gradually desensitize himself or herself to the pain and shock of the experience. And, of course, maintaining recovery is extremely important, so that they retain the methods and coping mechanisms in future situations, and it is assured that the recovery process is smooth and consistently uphill.




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