Two well researched and common forms of trauma treatment are Prolonged Exposure(PE) & Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).

PE starts with education about common trauma reactions. Breathing retraining is then taught, which is a skill that helps the client relax and manage immediate distress. Exposure practice with real-world anxiety producing situations is then discussed and specific behaviours to confront these anxiety producing situations are encouraged. Treatment then continues with Imaginal Exposure, which involves encouraging the client to talk about the trauma memory over and over. Talking through the trauma will help the client get more control of their thoughts and feelings.

CPT aims to teach the client how going through a traumatic experience changes the way they look at the world, themself and others, and that the way they think and look at things directly affects how they feel and act. CPT begins with education about specific symptoms and experiences. The first part of CPT is about aiding the client to become more aware of their thoughts and feelings about the experience. The client is then taught skills to help them better understand their own thoughts and beliefs, enabling them to use these skills to decide the way they want to think and feel about the incident. Finally, the client will be taught about the common changes in beliefs that occur after going through a trauma and help find a balance between the beliefs the client had before and after your trauma.

For further advise and treatment contact Victims of Crime Counseling Services on (03)  9415 9492.

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