Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Finding The Right Treatment

Treatment for PTSD

Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, or Exposure Therapy and other modalities. Specific medications are also often recommended for the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Finding a therapist

Working with a mental health therapist is a first step to symptom relief and meaningful change.

There are different kinds of professionals who can provide effective therapy for those with PTSD:

• Clinical psychologists (PhD)
• Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW or LMSW)
• Licensed professional counselors (LPC)
• Licensed clinical professional counselors (LCPC)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)

Having access to an empathic, non judgemental psychotherapist, in an emotionally safe environment, can offer the trauma survivor the opportunity to improve their symptoms, enrich quality of life, and prevent unnecessary complications in the future. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely used form of psychotherapy that has proven to be effective in the treatment of a range of mental health conditions, including PTSD, Major Depression Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. When indicated, the addition of targeted medications can further enhance symptom relief.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another well researched treatment, designed specifically for the treatment of PTSD. EMDR is offered by psychotherapists, who have received specialized training in that modality. An EMDR-trained mental health therapist can be found at the emdria website.

The decision to start therapy

Many people try to cope with their distress on their own, and then feel disappointed when they find that this is very difficult to do. Deciding to start therapy can be hard; it takes courage.

For some people, it can take time to warm up to the idea of sharing one’s intimate thoughts or disclosing details of one’s life, especially for those who grew up in a culture where seeking psychological help was frowned upon.

Psychotherapy is increasingly accepted as not only a way to improve mental health symptoms, but also a means for self exploration and personal growth. No problem is too small for a trained therapist: an individual need not worry that others may have it worse. The willingness to reach out for help is increasing: in 2020, one out of every six Americans (men and women) reported seeing a therapist.

Seeing a therapist with whom one feels comfortable, and a sense of connection, and who also participates in their insurance network, is essential. It may take a couple tries to find a therapist who feels like the right fit. If therapy didn't help the first time around, it can be helpful to give another therapist a try because therapeutic styles vary so much from therapist to therapist.

Where to start

Asking one’s physician to make a referral is often a good place to start. Many health insurance cards have websites or 1-800 numbers to call for a list of in-network providers.

To find a therapist who takes your insurance, the National Institute of Mental Health offers a comprehensive list of resources.

Psychology Today also lists therapists by type, location and insurance.

Determining whether medications will play a role in treatment

Medications are central in the lives of many people with PTSD. The decision to start or stop taking a medication is a medical decision that is best made in conjunction with a board certified mental health/addictions prescriber. Communication between client and treatment provider is key for medication management, just as it is for all matters concerning recovery and mental health. Medical consultation is needed for all questions and concerns pertaining to medication.

Two antidepressant medications

The two medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat PTSD are sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil). These medications are also antidepressants that are used to treat major depression, and anxiety as well. Since many people with PTSD are both depressed and anxious, these medications may perform triple duty by improving symptoms for PTSD as well as depression and anxiety.

Also note that the Veterans Administration has performed extensive studies of PTSD, and according to their practice guidelines, the antidepressants sertraline, paroxetine, fluoxetine, and venlafaxine are the most effective treatment medications.

FDA warning about suicide risk with antidepressants

Some research exists that, occasionally, newly initiated anti-depressants may increase the risk of suicide. If an individual begins to have these thoughts after starting an anti-depressant, they should stop this medicine and contact their prescriber immediately. This risk is more evident in children, adolescents, and young adults.

Healthcare providers that can prescribe medications

Psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and physician assistants are practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat mental health conditions by prescribing medications. Sometimes it's hard to find a psychiatric provider because there are so many people who need them. So, individuals often choose to see a different kind of provider who can prescribe. This could be a doctor they already see, like a primary care doctor, family doctor or OB/GYN, or a new primary doctor.