Some people need treatment to heal their trauma. Most benefit quickly when they get one of the treatments that have been shown to work for PTSD , the earlier a person gets treatment, the better chance of recovery (Zielinski & Dworkin, 2020; Desir, 2022). PTSD sufferers have many therapy options. You can choose the one that is most suitable and most appropriate for you to cure PTSD, there are several psychotherapy therapies that have been proven effective in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Some of them are:
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective approach to treating PTSD, as explained by Robert L. Leahy in "Cognitive Therapy Techniques: A Practitioner's Guide" (2017). Leahy outlines CBT concepts and techniques that can be applied to PTSD, with a focus on identifying and restructuring negative thought patterns associated with trauma. Therapists use cognitive methods to explore and address beliefs that contribute to PTSD symptoms. Techniques such as automatic thought recording, controlled exposure, and cognitive restructuring, detailed in this book, empower clients to manage trauma-related reactions effectively.
2. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) stands out as an effective therapeutic approach for PTSD. By involving deliberate eye movements while remembering the trauma, EMDR significantly reduces PTSD symptoms, as shown in a meta-analysis (Shapiro, 2017). Bilateral stimulation, either through eye movements or alternatives such as vibration, helps clients process traumatic memories adaptively. EMDR guides individuals toward a more positive mindset, providing strong evidence of its efficacy in reducing the psychological impact of trauma.
3. Exposure Therapy is a powerful method for the treatment of PTSD, facilitating confrontation and overcoming fears related to trauma triggers (Foa et al., 2018). Exposure Therapy significantly reduces PTSD symptoms and improves quality of life. Whether through imaginative or concrete methods, this approach helps individuals change negative associations with traumatic stimuli, thereby encouraging healthier responses to reminders.
Also there is one of the therapy options is group therapy. Group therapy encourages survivors of similar traumatic events to share their experiences and reactions in a comfortable and non-judgmental setting (Desir, 2022). Group experience decreases isolation and alienation as members find that others can understand their experience. Social reintegration begins when group members feel the support of the group and come to believe they are no longer facing trauma recovery by themselves (Allen & Bloom, 1994). Group members help one another realize that many people would have responded the same way and felt the same emotions (Desir, 2022). Group therapy is suited to addressing the impact of PTSD on an individual’s relationship with others, as the modality provides the opportunity for social support, social reintegration, and interpersonal learning (Allen & Bloom, 1994).
According to (Desir, 2022), therapy groups provide strong emotional and cognitive support for individuals who have experienced similar trauma. Commitment to the other group members was the most frequently cited reason for not dropping out of treatment. In addition, feedback and support from the group members was rated as the single most helpful component of therapy (Sripada et al., 2016). Sharing experiences with others who have faced similar traumatic events reduces feelings of isolation and alienation, helps group members feel supported, and begins the process of social reintegration. The main advantage of therapy groups lies in their ability to create a supportive environment, where group members help each other to understand that the responses and emotions they experience are not unique. In the context of PTSD, these advantages allow individuals to feel more connected, receive social support, and gain significant interpersonal learning, thereby accelerating the recovery process.
A number of cases of effective healing using group therapy methods for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be illustrated. For example, a therapy group for military veterans experiencing PTSD successfully provides a platform where members can support each other and share their experiences in overcoming the trauma of war. Through interactions within the group, veterans can understand that their reactions and feelings are not alone, strengthening a sense of unity and mutual support. This approach helps them immerse themselves in deep group experiences and build positive social relationships.
As another example, a group therapy program for victims of sexual violence provides a safe space for these individuals to share their stories and process traumatic impacts that may be difficult to express individually. In these groups, they can get support from people who have gone through similar experiences, reducing feelings of isolation and stimulating a mutual healing process. Group therapy helps create positive emotional connectedness and provides the structural support necessary for their recovery.
REFERENCES
Allen, S. N., & Bloom, S. L. (1994). Group and family treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 17, 425-437.
Desir, M. T. (2022). What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd#section_1. (Accessed on November 26, 2023)
Foa, E. B., McLean, C. P., Zandberg, L. J., Zang, Y., Rosenfield, D., Yadin, E., ... & Peterson, A. L. (2018). Effect of prolonged exposure therapy delivered over 2 weeks vs 8 weeks vs present-centered therapy on PTSD symptom severity in military personnel: A randomized clinical trial. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 319(4), 354-364.
