OUR CLINICIANS ARE WELL-VERSED IN USING STATE-OF-THE ART TREATMENTS FOR TRAUMA-RELATED ISSUES
Our therapists practice trauma-informed care and are experienced in using the following cognitive behavioral treatments for trauma-related issues that are recommended by both the American Psychological Association and the National Institute of Mental Health.
Cognitive processing therapy
Cognitive-processing therapy (CPT) consists of two integrated components: cognitive therapy and exposure therapy in the form of writing and reading about the traumatic event. Cognitive therapy focuses on identifying distorted beliefs related to denial, self-blame, and/or dangerousness about others and the world and then helping the individual generate and practice a more balanced view. The exposure component consists of having patients write detailed accounts of the most traumatic incident(s) that they read to themselves and to the therapists. Patients are encouraged to experience their emotions while writing and reading, and the accounts are then used to determine “stuck points”: areas of conflicting beliefs, leaps of logic, or blind assumptions.
Prolonged exposure
Prolonged exposure is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches individuals to gradually approach trauma-related memories, feelings and situations. Most people want to avoid anything that reminds them of the trauma they experienced, but doing so reinforces their fear. By facing what has been avoided, a person can decrease symptoms of PTSD by actively learning that the trauma-related memories and cues are not dangerous and do not need to be avoided. Our therapists begin with psychoeducation and breathing techniques to manage anxiety. Our therapists ensure that the therapy relationship is perceived to be a safe space before beginning prolonged exposure as the patient will be asked to confront very anxiety-provoking stimuli, though in a graduated manner. Imaginal exposure occurs in session with the patient describing the event in detail in the present tense with guidance from the therapist. Together, patient and therapist discuss and process the emotion raised by the imaginal exposure in session. The patient is recorded while describing the event so that she or he can listen to the recording between sessions to further process the emotions and practice the breathing techniques. In vivo exposure, that is confronting feared stimuli outside of therapy, is assigned as homework. The therapist and patient together identify a range of possible stimuli and situations connected to the traumatic fear, such as specific places or people. They agree on which stimuli to confront as part of in vivo exposure and devise a plan to do so between sessions. The patient is encouraged to challenge him or herself but to do so in a graduated fashion so as to experience some success in confronting feared stimuli and coping with the associated emotion.
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P H O N E 219.228.7630 | Call us for FREE CONSULT
F A X 219.228.1083 M A I N O F F I C E 322 Indianapolis Blvd., Suite 105, Schererville, IN 46375 S A T E L L I T E O F F I C E 1100 S Calumet Road, Suite 3B, Chesterton, IN 46304 I N - P E R S O N Easily traveled from within the state of Indiana; south/southwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois; and West Michigan T E L E H E A L T H Illinois, Indiana, New Mexico, and PSYPACT States |