Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy is the core foundation for an evidence-based theoretical approach to counseling, therapeutic interventions, and strategies used to assist in the healing process of the Merismos Counseling Model. Trauma-focused CBT often gets results in a few months. Sometimes the person does not even need a whole course of therapy to be better. Other times, especially for more severe or long-lasting traumas, it can take longer.
The key is that therapy works because the person is actively trying to change in between therapy sessions. The main element of effective trauma-focused therapy is practicing the key strategies that help with reducing symptoms. That can mean facing up to memories or non-dangerous fears, getting active and back on track, or coming up with more helpful ways to think about the trauma and its impact. It is hard work, but it is worth it. The therapist is there to help you succeed.
There are three trauma-focused CBT approaches that are based on the theory that negative emotions are connected to the memories of traumatic events and how the person thinks about the traumatic event led to PTSD Symptoms. The three therapies take different approaches to reduce PTSD symptoms, but all three work equally well.
What is Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
CBT focuses on problem-solving skills. These new skills can help people change their emotional and physical reactions when confronted with triggers. The goals of trauma-based CBT are to:
Promote a greater sense of control and trust.
Develop healthier and more effective ways to respond.
Calm panic responses in the body
After a traumatic event, it is very common for someone to experience their thoughts and bodily sensations separately. To calm their distress, they tend to rely on behaviors or substances that help them numb pain. Examples include drugs, sex, food, and/or being violent towards others. The goal of this therapy is to retrain the brain and body by connecting thoughts with feelings.
CBT usually involves helping a person develop new beliefs about the trauma as well as how to handle emergencies. Therapists also teach people strategies for calming their bodies such as deep breathing or mindfulness. It is very common for therapists to use a combination of techniques when working with traumatized people. Different techniques can help individuals work through emotional blocks in helpful ways. This is impactful in the CBT treatment.
Other treatment methods that are commonly used with trauma-informed CBT include mindfulness, relaxation therapy, art therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and the most recent treatment method the Merismos Counseling Modal integration of evidenced-based trauma treatment with Faith-based principles within the counseling process to provide a whole life healing. Research indicates that evidence-based trauma treatment is highly effective, whether it is used with Biblical context alone, and/or with medication. Relapse rates are usually much lower once someone has finished cognitive-focused Trauma Counseling.
Trauma-Focused CBT is a therapy that directly addresses the impact of traumatic events. There are three main versions of trauma-focused CBT that have been proven in scientific studies to be effective for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Therapy can also help with depression and anxiety that goes along with PTSD. Adult TF-CBT Harborview 2017
1. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
2. Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET)
3. Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): CPT focuses mainly on unrealistic and/or unhelpful thoughts a person has about their traumatic experience and/or how the trauma has impacted their beliefs about themselves, others, and the world. These thoughts can cause the memories or reminders of the trauma to be very distressing because thoughts can lead to intense negative feelings such as fear or blame. The idea is to identify and change the unrealistic or unhelpful thoughts in a planned way. When the person thinks in a more realistic and helpful way, remembering or being reminded of the trauma is not so upsetting and the person can return to a normal life.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET): PET focuses on reducing the intense negative emotions that are caused by memories or being reminded of the trauma. The main negative emotions that go with remembering are fear and shame. The idea is that facing up to the trauma memories or reminders in a planned way eventually wears down the negative emotions connected to the memories. This makes remembering or being reminded of the trauma not so upsetting. When the memories or the reminders are not so upsetting, the person does not have to avoid them and can have a more normal life.
Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA): CETA focuses on specifically targeting the symptoms of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and/or depression in people affected by their traumatic experiences. The goal is to choose the treatment components that match the specific symptoms of the person and then provide the treatment components that work for the specific symptoms that are most impacting the client. Usually, sessions cover one treatment component at a time. Some components may take more than one session. The clinical target and the treatment components can be adjusted.