Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that develops after a sever traumatic event or experience. Commonly people who have developed PTSD will experience symptoms such as psychic numbing, emotional anesthesia, (a diminished ability to experience emotion), increased arousal, or unwanted re-experiencing of the trauma. Anxiety, irritability and depression are common. There may be problems falling or staying asleep. Some people turn to illegal drug use or alcohol to escape the pain of re-experiencing the traumatic event.

When working with youth that have experienced a trauma, I utilized a form of CBT called Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). This type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes about 12-14 sessions to complete. I have found many of the techniques used in TF-CBT very effective when working with adults, as well.