Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often associated with combat veterans, but it affects people from all backgrounds who experience or witness trauma.
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by overwhelming feelings of fear, stress, worry, and/or dread. If you’ve ever experienced PTSD symptoms, you know that flashbacks and nightmares can be so severe that they can consume your life and limit your ability to function. While there are many options for treating PTSD, going to therapy is one very important component of managing PTSD symptoms.
If you or someone you know has experienced trauma, PTSD therapy can provide strategies to cope with recurring symptoms. Seek treatment promptly, as symptoms tend to worsen over time.
Seeking help for PTSD is crucial. Many people attempt to self-medicate instead of pursuing treatment. Not only is self-medicating yourself to cope with your trauma, but it is also harmful to your health. PTSD has also been linked directly to suicide. Engaging in PTSD-specific therapy can be lifesaving.
Type of Therapy for PTSD Treatment
- Cognitive Processing Therapy focuses on changing unhelpful beliefs about trauma.
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy targets avoidance by gradually confronting trauma memories.
- Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing uses bilateral stimulation to reprocess trauma.
- Stress Inoculation Training teaches coping skills for anxiety related to trauma.
PTSD Therapy Guide
To help you further, this guide covers these therapy types and much more. Whether you have PTSD or want to support someone who does, you’ll find essential information here, including advice, treatment options, and resources.
Types of PTSD Therapy Expanded
There are many types of traumas: sexual, psychological/emotional, and physical. Choosing the right therapy begins with understanding the different types of PTSD. Once you identify which type applies to you or your loved one, you can select the therapy that best targets your symptoms. Each PTSD therapy uses specific techniques to address symptoms based on your needs.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a specific form of therapy that helps you identify and change unhealthy emotional thoughts related to trauma. Unlike other therapies, CPT focuses on understanding your trauma and managing triggers with techniques tailored to cognitive processing.
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy gradually helps you face your trauma, reducing anxiety and allowing freer living.
- Emotional Freedom Technique ("tapping") involves tapping on specific points while focusing on traumatic memories. This method combines elements of acupressure and mindfulness to help relieve PTSD symptoms.
- Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is distinct from other trauma therapies. Unlike therapies that rely primarily on talk or medication, EMDR changes how your brain responds to trauma reminders by directing attention to them while experiencing bilateral stimulation (such as side-to-side eye movements). This combination helps you form new associations, so trauma reminders no longer trigger unhealthy emotional responses.
Knowing what type of trauma, you have will help identify the cause of your PTSD and allow you to manage your triggers and symptoms faster. PTSD is a unique condition that affects everyone differently, so exploring different therapy options, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, may help you find the most effective approach. By getting proper PTSD help, you can reduce your symptoms.
We have all heard of psychotherapy. But did you know that there are specific types of psychotherapy that help with PTSD? For example, cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to identify and change negative thought patterns. Interpersonal psychotherapy focuses on improving relationships and communication. Group therapy provides support through shared experiences. Your therapist can help you choose the approach that best fits your needs.
Let’s take a closer look at each type of therapy.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) helps you reprocess trauma by changing the negative emotions attached to it. If you feel guilt, shame, or blame after trauma, CPT can help you better understand your experience. CPT usually takes 12 sessions, each designed to help you feel less culpable and more in control of your emotions over time.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy teaches you how to face your fears head-on. Instead of avoiding your trauma reminders, you will learn how to cope when confronted with them. PE therapy typically takes 8–15 sessions, depending on your situation, and you will learn to reduce your fear and live your life without avoidance.
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy focuses on shifting your reactions to trauma reminders. By pairing trauma reminders with bilateral stimulation (such as side-to-side eye movements), you will have the opportunity to create new positive associations with objects/thoughts that are used to trigger you. EMDR can take anywhere from 6 to 12 sessions.
Stress Inoculation Training will teach you stress management skills before your PTSD symptoms take hold. By using relaxation and coping skills, you will feel less anxious and overwhelmed in times of stress. SIT usually takes 8–12 sessions and can be used alongside other PTSD therapies.
If you think PTSD therapy could help, reach out to a professional to start healing today.
PTSD Therapy Treatments Explanation Expanded
Cognitive Processing Therapy
In addition to therapy, self-help practices such as journaling can be helpful. Here are some journaling prompts and resources designed to complement various PTSD therapies, with a focus on Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT):
Cognitive Processing Therapy is a specific kind of cognitive therapy that will usually take 12 weeks of regular PTSD treatment. Sessions will normally last 45 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. This kind of therapy allows you to focus on what exactly is causing your traumatic memories to resurface. With the help of a licensed therapist, you’ll learn how to cope with these events so that they’ll no longer have such a negative impact on you.
Cognitive therapists typically begin by asking you to recount your trauma. With PTSD, recalling and writing these memories can be difficult. Over time, you and your therapist can break down your experience and learn to manage it. While you may not fully forget what happened, you can learn to cope with it.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
If you have PTSD, you may avoid anything that could trigger your trauma. Prolonged exposure therapy does the opposite. By facing what you avoid most, you learn to cope with your triggers. Like other therapies, PE therapy involves weekly sessions of about 75 minutes. Sessions may last up to 90 minutes, depending on your therapist and location.
During the first few sessions, you will focus on learning how to better manage your anxiety when you feel PTSD symptoms coming on. Learning how to manage your PTSD when it gets bad can better equip you for prolonged exposure therapy. You will learn how to confront what you’ve been avoiding and prevent PTSD symptoms from occurring.
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR therapy differs from talk therapy. You will discuss your trauma, but this is not the primary focus of your therapy. Instead, you recall your trauma while your therapist moves their hands, flashes a light, or makes noises. EMDR therapy typically lasts about 3 months, with weekly 60 to 90-minute sessions.
Your therapist will help “reprocess” the way you think about your trauma. You will no longer feel as though your trauma defines you, and you will have the tools you need to live a happy life.
Stress Inoculation Training (SIT)
Stress Inoculation Training is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy. Like others, it lasts about 3 months with weekly 60- to 90-minute sessions. SIT includes one-on-one or group therapy. You will not have to talk about your trauma unless you wish. Therapy focuses on coping mechanisms like meditation, relaxation, and other skills to counter negative thoughts.
A Takeaway on PTSD Therapy
PTSD comes in many forms and affects everyone differently. While some have few symptoms, others may be significantly impacted. With the right therapy and tools, symptoms can be managed. Seeking help can improve your quality of life and reduce trauma-induced anxiety.
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