Recovery from PTSD is a journey and for many, a lifelong process. There is no “average” time to recover as it varies with each individual. For some, it may be weeks or months. For others it is a years-long journey, usually done with the help of a trauma-informed therapist. There are many treatment models for healing from PTSD. Read on to learn what successful treatment looks like and how your therapist may organize treatment plans for PTSD.

Key Elements of Successful PTSD Treatment

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event or series of events. Trauma is an event or experience that causes a person to feel intense fear, helplessness, or horror. There are many kinds of trauma, each requiring different strategies for healing.

As there is no set timeline for recovery from PTSD, the best way to judge this is by progress through the stages of recovery. Everyone has a unique path through these, sometimes returning to earlier stages. Briefly these are:

1. Impact/Emergency
2. Denial/Numbing
3. Rescue
4. Short Term Recovery/Intermediate
5. Long-term Recovery

Within these stages, key elements of successful PTSD treatment involve the following:

Acknowledge the Trauma

Acknowledging that you have trauma and its impact on your life is the first step. Don’t rush this process as understanding the depth and breadth of your experience is key.

Seek Professional Help

Having professional help is a primary element in your healing journey. Therapists specializing in trauma can provide a safe space to explore your feelings, thoughts, and memories without judgment. 

Develop Your Support Network

Don’t go it alone. Develop your network of supportive family and friends as well as joining support groups. 

Do Your Self-care

Self-care practices like mindfulness, meditation, and regular physical activity can greatly enhance your mental health and resilience. 

Treatment Options for PTSD

Traumatic stress reactions are normal reactions to abnormal circumstances. Specialized effective treatment approaches for complex trauma involve a combination of evidence-based psychotherapies [1]. 

The following psychotherapy approaches are designed to help individuals address the negative impact of trauma on their mental and physical well-being and are evidence-based [2].

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
• Mindfulness practices 

There are numerous other therapy approaches such as Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) which are reported to be effective but don’t yet have enough supporting evidence.

Treatment Plan Objectives for PTSD

Creating effective treatment plans for PTSD draws on a thorough understanding of trauma, the impact on the person, and evidence-based therapies and medications. One of the top priorities is to help clients set realistic goals and objectives.

Each plan needs to be customized for the individual, but in general a treatment plan includes:

Problem Statement

This is a clear statement of the client’s issues and trauma experience(s) 

Goals

Goals are general statements and should be set collaboratively with the client’s. It’s recommended to use the SMART goal structure for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound goals.

Objectives

Outlines concrete steps and skills required to achieve the goals

Interventions

Defines concrete steps to achieve the goals

Evaluation Criteria

Sets out the methods to assess progress

Timeline

Estimates the duration and frequency of treatment

Examples of PTSD Treatments Plans

Here are two example plans:

Plan Example 1

Problem Statement:

• The client has PTSD from past military experience two years ago

Goals:

1. Develop awareness of the impact of PTSD on all areas of functioning
2. Learn techniques to manage flashbacks and intrusive thoughts

Objectives:

1. Use psychoeducation to help the client identify and understand their PTSD symptoms.
2. The client will practice grounding techniques at least three times a week to manage flashbacks and intrusive thoughts. 
3. The client will participate in weekly trauma-focused therapy such as TF-CBT or EMDR to process traumatic memories and reduce their impact. 

Interventions:

• Psychoeducation around trauma
• Trauma-focused therapy weekly

Evaluation Criteria: Use either of the following: 

• PTSD Checklist (PCL-5)
• Clinician-Administered PTSD scale (CAPS) 

Timeline:

• Weekly trauma-focused therapy for 12 weeks
• Follow-up assessment to determine if therapy should continue

Plan Example 2

Problem Statement: 

• The client has PTSD from childhood neglect and abuse

Goals: 

1. Process and work on abuse or neglect issues
2. Work on anger and mood issues

Objectives:

1. Review client’s memory of abuse and neglect 
2. Create specific strategies to cope with stimuli that trigger memories of stressful events.
3. Develop ways of handling emotion regulation for anger and depression

Interventions: 

• Meet weekly with client remotely via Zoom to discuss objectives
• Assess whether medical review is required to monitor client’s medications

Evaluation Criteria: Use either of the following: 

• PTSD Checklist (PCL-5)
• Clinician-Administered PTSD scale (CAPS) 

Timeline: 

• Meet weekly for two months and then assess progress

How to Know If the Plan Is Working for you?

Emotional healing from trauma can be subtle, and it often happens gradually. Knowing that you are on the path to emotional recovery involves observing changes in your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors over time.

Therapists usually do an initial assessment and diagnosis as a baseline for your progress. During your therapy work they will periodically use tools such as the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) or Clinician-Administered PTSD scale (CAPS) to monitor the severity of your symptoms and your progress. 

This information will be shared and discussed with you. Feedback loops are important so the therapist will continuously gather feedback from you and adjust the plan as needed.

Getting PTSD Treatment in Utah

A holistic treatment approach is highly recommended for PTSD. Such a program consists of the following:

Therapy and Medication

PTSD can be effectively treated as we do at Corner Canyon Health Centers in Utah. The primary ways include:

Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Working with a licensed therapist, you can reframe negative thinking patterns, review your goals and adjust them and learn more positive self-talk among other things. This therapy is typically short-term, 6-18 weeks.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

The goal of EMDR is to facilitate accelerated information processing. It assumes we all have a natural ability to heal. The objective is to leave a client with the emotions, understanding and perspectives that will lead to healthy and useful behaviors and interactions. ”Processing” an experience doesn’t mean talking about it. It means to make sense of it and no longer be disturbed by it.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy 

Based partly on EMDR, this approach uses back and forth eye movements that have a calming and relaxing effect on the client. They are combined with a technique called Voluntary Memory/Image Replacement. The therapist directs the patient to visualize a distressing event or representative metaphor and then process their bodily sensations.  The client is not required to talk about their own materia. This offers safety and relief compared to other trauma-informed techniques.

Medication: Antidepressant medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can help with depression associated with PTSD. Anti-anxiety medication may also be used on a short-term basis. Other medications may also be prescribed by your doctor.

Holistic Therapy: Many people are seeking multiple methods for improved self-care and healing to complement traditional western medicine. Of these, mindfulness meditation is evidence-backed for its effectiveness and simplicity. Yoga has proven effective as well for helping to breath out anxiety and achieve greater inner balance.

There’s Help In Utah

Treatment is available in Utah. Are you or a loved one looking for a compassionate space to heal from PTSD, other mental health issues or addictions? Our licensed trauma-informed professional therapists and counselors at Corner Canyon Health Centers can provide compassionate help using a range of therapeutic and holistic techniques.

Reach out to our Admissions team now at Corner Canyon. We’re in a peaceful setting bordered by the beautiful Wasatch Mountains.

Sources

[1] Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (US). Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2014. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 57.) Chapter 3, Understanding the Impact of Trauma. 

[A] Norman, S. et al. Overview of Psychotherapy for PTSD. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. PTSD: National Center for PTSD.

[C] Singh, G. How to Write a PTSD Treatment Plan (with Examples). Mentalyc.com