Psychotherapy treatment for PTSD usually lasts 6 to 12 weeks, but may last longer. Research shows that support from family and friends can be an important part of recovery. There are many types of psychotherapy that can help people with post-traumatic stress disorder. Some types directly attack PTSD symptoms.
The duration of treatment for psychological problems will necessarily vary from one individual to another. Basically, treatment (type and duration) must always be adapted appropriately to the nature and severity of the difficulties faced by the person. Acute difficulties usually require fewer treatment sessions than chronic conditions. In addition, the duration of treatment also varies depending on the type of treatment administered; cognitive-behavioral treatments, which focus on a specific problem, are usually shorter than psychotherapies with a broader focus.
So how long does it usually take for treatment to take effect? How long will trauma therapy last? The main consideration in answering this question is how much preparatory work you and I decide is necessary before we begin to address the trauma itself. This usually ranges from a few weeks to 3-4 months. I want you to have the skills necessary to work on trauma, to thoroughly understand PTSD, and to feel safe from trauma therapy before you start. The amount of time this takes generally depends on your history and life experience.
The decision about when you are ready to start working specifically on trauma will be made together in therapy. The cognitive processing therapy program (mentioned above) usually lasts 12 weeks, so the CPT plus preparatory work will probably take 3.5 to 7 months. While that may seem like a significant investment of time, consider how long you've been experiencing symptoms and then decide how much time you're willing to spend feeling better. If they last a month or longer, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be an appropriate diagnosis and trauma therapy may be helpful.
Depending on the therapist and the degree of the traumatic response, several professionals will introduce a tapping sound to further distract the mind. Trauma therapy asks you to experience some of the thoughts and feelings associated with trauma in a more controlled situation where you can process those feelings with the help of an experienced therapist. The therapist encourages the patient to talk about their traumatic experience and, at the same time, redirects the main focus of their brain through eye movements. So let's talk in general about what you should look for in a therapist and, if you decide to work with me, about my therapy style.
Research studies conducted by the EMDR Institute found that only 1 in 10 trauma survivors needed more than 3 sessions to re-process the negative symptoms of PTSD. For people with post-traumatic stress disorder, it may be especially helpful to learn the skills of DBT before introducing specific therapy for trauma. It's hard work and it's critical that it be carried out in a safe and comfortable environment with an experienced, well-trained therapist. There needs to be some trust between the patient and the therapist to get the preferred outcome.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based therapy that helps you learn to control the symptoms of PTSD. Originally developed as a treatment for borderline personality disorder, DBT has been found to be useful for patients with other diagnoses, including PTSD.
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