How is trauma treated at RCBM?
Not everyone who experiences trauma goes on to develop PTSD, but for those who do, there is an effective treatment that can alleviate or reduce the intensity of symptoms. At the Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine, we offer a range of treatments for trauma. These include cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR, polyvagal therapy, and medication management.
At the Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine, PTSD is treated with a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and, when necessary, medications. This effective approach can help individuals with PTSD identify situations that trigger their “fight or flight” response. Using the cognitive-behavioral techniques of flooding and systematic desensitization, the therapist and patient can work together to safely reintroduce situations that have become too anxiety-provoking for the patient. Over time, irritability, flashbacks, and nightmares subside, the patient can return to their pre-trauma functionality, and long-term success is within reach.
Trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment specifically for children and adolescents impacted by trauma and their parents or caregivers. It is a components-based treatment model that incorporates trauma-sensitive interventions with cognitive behavioral, family, and humanistic principles and techniques. TF-CBT has proved successful with children and adolescents (ages 3 to 18) who have significant emotional problems (e.g., symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, fear, anxiety, or depression) related to traumatic life events. It can be used with children and adolescents who have experienced a single trauma or multiple traumas in their lives.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a treatment modality that has been helpful to people who are suffering from the effects of trauma. After encountering a traumatic event, such as an auto accident, domestic abuse, violence, or perinatal loss, fragmented memories may intrude into daily life. This can result in feelings of helplessness or low self-esteem. Sometimes, individuals turn to alcohol or substance abuse to decrease the intrusive memories. EMDR allows the traumatic event to be fully processed so the individual is freed from re-experiencing the event in everyday life. This may result in a better quality of life and hope and well-being. It is also used in conjunction with traditional therapy.
