PTSD Exposure Therapy - session two (part 2)

Exposure therapy is considering one of the best empirically supported treatments for not only PTSD but also a number of other anxiety disorders (e.g. OCD & phobias)

For educational purposes only. Enjoy!

Session 2 is largely dedicated towards exploring the trauma victims' maladaptive cognitions attached to the trauma experience. Broadly speaking, one of the major goals in this component of Exposure treatment of PTSD is to facilitate a more healthy constellations of thought patterns surrounding the trauma event. This adjustment of relevant cognitive schemas can hasten psychological "recovery" and allow clients to "get back" to their "normal" lives once again.

Basic Steps of Cognitive Restructuring
1. Identify a distressing situation
2. Identify the emotions
3. Identify the thoughts associated with the emotion
4. Identify the beliefs behind the thoughts
5. Challenge the belief by collecting evidence for and against
6. Help form a helpful conceptualization of the evidence

Notables notes:
1. Its difficult to help someone change their thinking; its difficult for someone to change their thinking. So start small, even if you think there is a more important belief to challenge
2. Go after the Most bang for your buck beliefs (notice the wit, okay I'll stop now!)
3. Use ratings to determine how much they believe their thoughts
4. Utilize the Socratic method to help avoid client resistance (e.g., arguing)
5. When finished go out for a round at the pub! (Okay, not really, but wouldn't that be sweet?)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• PTSD
• exposure
• therapy
• anxiety
• relaxation
• fear
• death
• trauma
• cognitive restructuring