RESOURCES
If you were to google "PTSD information" you would be flooded with results, many of which are not evidence-based. At TREC DC our goal is to provide information that empowers, normalizes, and de-mystifies. To that end, we will only link to resources that are evidence-based and rooted in science. Wherever you are on your journey, let this be a guidepost for you.
Evidence-Based Therapies (EBT's) for trauma and PTSD
Below are informational videos about different treatments for PTSD, trauma, and related conditions. These are included to help you be better informed and empowered in making decisions about your treatment.
*Please note that while the DBT video discusses treatment for adolescents, it is a good general introduction for anyone interested in DBT and TREC offers adult DBT services.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based therapy that emphasizes acceptance as a way to deal with negative thoughts, feelings, symptoms, or circumstances. It also encourages increased commitment to healthy, constructive activities that uphold your values or goals.
From Verywell Mind
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i)
CBT-i is an evidence-based therapy that has been shown to help people recover from insomnia and resume healthy sleeping patterns.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy that has been effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD. CPT is generally delivered over 12 sessions and helps patients learn how to challenge and modify unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma. In so doing, the patient creates a new understanding and conceptualization of the traumatic event so that it reduces its ongoing negative effects on current life.
From The American Psychological Association
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For a more in depth intro to CPT, you can listen to the "Ten Sessions" episode of This American Life.
Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT)
​Problematic behaviors evolve as a way to cope with a situation or attempt to solve a problem. While these behaviors might provide temporary relief, they often are not effective in the long-term. DBT assumes that clients are doing the best they can, AND they need to learn new behaviors in all relevant contexts.​
The function of DBT Skills is to help enhance a client’s capabilities. There are four skills taught in DBT:​
Mindfulness: the practice of being fully aware and present in this one moment​
Distress Tolerance: how to tolerate pain in difficult situations, not change it​
Interpersonal Effectiveness: how to ask for what you want and say no while maintaining self-respect and relationships with others​
Emotion Regulation: how to change emotions that you want to change​
From Behavioral Tech
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD
EMDR is "a structured therapy that encourages the patient to briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories."
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an approach to psychotherapy that identifies and addresses multiple sub-personalities or families within each person’s mental system. These sub-personalities consist of wounded parts and painful emotions such as anger and shame, and parts that try to control and protect the person from the pain of the wounded parts. The sub-personalities are often in conflict with each other and with one’s core Self, a concept that describes the confident, compassionate, whole person that is at the core of every individual. IFS focuses on healing the wounded parts and restoring mental balance and harmony by changing the dynamics that create discord among the sub-personalities and the Self.
From Psychology Today
Prolonged Exposure (PE) for PTSD
Prolonged exposure teaches individuals to gradually approach their trauma-related memories, feelings and situations. They learn that trauma-related memories and cues are not dangerous and do not need to be avoided.