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What is Involved in PTSD Counseling?

Lily Ruha
Lily Ruha

PTSD counseling draws on several types of cognitive behavioral therapies in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cognitive therapy, exposure therapy and stress inoculation training are among the most widely utilized forms of treatment for PTSD. Most types of PTSD counseling involve one or a combination of these therapies. PTSD therapy may be carried out one-on-one or in group settings.

Most types of PTSD counseling involve cognitive therapy. In this form of therapy, professional counselors help PTSD sufferers to identify past traumas and current thoughts leading to irrational behaviors or unproductive life decisions. A person who witnessed his best friend die in a car accident, for example, might refuse to drive his car for fear of crashing it. In PTSD counseling, he would be guided through reprogramming his thoughts so he no longer suffers from irrational fears related to everyday driving.

PSTD counseling might include group sessions.
PSTD counseling might include group sessions.

When the technique of exposure therapy is used in PTSD counseling, the goal is to desensitize the patient to his traumatic memories. A victim of a violent crime, for example, might feel scared at the thought of the violent event. In exposure therapy, the counselor would guide the patient through the memories of the event, allowing him to face his fears and to gain control over his anxiety-provoking thoughts.

A cognitive behavioral therapist can be helpful in treating PTSD.
A cognitive behavioral therapist can be helpful in treating PTSD.

The purpose of stress inoculation training in PTSD counseling is to reduce anxiety and teach coping skills. Patients are taught to gain control over their anxieties. The counselor teaches the patient how to identify anxieties and implement methods to reduce stress. A war veteran who is reliving an unpleasant event from combat, for example, might be taught to breathe deeply and apply relaxation techniques as soon as his memories of the event surface.

Counselors may need to help those with PTSD to end an addiction to anti-depressants.
Counselors may need to help those with PTSD to end an addiction to anti-depressants.

In some cases, PTSD counseling is carried out in group settings. The group is generally led by a licensed counselor who creates a safe environment wherein individuals openly share their feelings and experiences. This type of counseling is helpful because it lets the PTSD patient know that he is not alone. By talking about traumatic events and hearing that others have experienced the same trials, an individual can understand that his reactions are normal given the circumstances. PTSD group counseling is also a good way to form a social support system.

A war veteran with PTSD may be taught relaxation techniques to follow when they experience flashbacks of traumatic events.
A war veteran with PTSD may be taught relaxation techniques to follow when they experience flashbacks of traumatic events.

PTSD can impact family members and, therefore, counselors sometimes ask patients for their permission to invite relatives to sessions. Family members can offer insight into the duration and extent of the PTSD symptoms. Their attendance in therapy sessions often helps to improve communication and establish coping mechanisms within the family.

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    • PSTD counseling might include group sessions.
      By: Monkey Business
      PSTD counseling might include group sessions.
    • A cognitive behavioral therapist can be helpful in treating PTSD.
      By: Rob
      A cognitive behavioral therapist can be helpful in treating PTSD.
    • Counselors may need to help those with PTSD to end an addiction to anti-depressants.
      By: Feng Yu
      Counselors may need to help those with PTSD to end an addiction to anti-depressants.
    • A war veteran with PTSD may be taught relaxation techniques to follow when they experience flashbacks of traumatic events.
      By: John Gomez
      A war veteran with PTSD may be taught relaxation techniques to follow when they experience flashbacks of traumatic events.
    • PTSD counselors may work with someone who has been through a natural disaster.
      By: FrankBirds
      PTSD counselors may work with someone who has been through a natural disaster.