Learning Theories Explain The Connection Of Fear And Avoidance Of The Trauma

For this assignment, I will examine how cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is effective approach for clients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Post-traumatic stress disorder is defined as "a mental health condition that is triggered by exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation," (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). It is natural to feel afraid during and after a distressing experience and most people can recover after the initial symptoms. But, people with PTSD continue to feel stressed and frightened after the experience is over.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the inspired work of Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck which emphasizes the need for attitudinal change to promote and maintain a behavior modification (Nichols, 2010 p. 167). Ellis believed, people contribute to their own psychological problems, as well as specific symptoms, by the rigid and extreme beliefs they hold about events and situations (Cory 2012, p. 291). CBT is based on an educational model with a scientifically supported assumption that most emotional and behavioral responses are learned. Therefore, the goal of therapy is to assist clients unlearn their unwanted behaviors and to learn new ways of behaving and thinking when he/she is faced with an

Spitalnick, Josh. Difede, JoAnn. Rizzo, Albert. O. Rothbaum, Barbara. “Emerging treatments for PTSD” Clinical Psychology Review, Volume 29, Issue 8, December 2009, Pages 715-726, ISSN 0272-7358, Web. 21 April 2016

The World War II and Korean War veterans talk about their trauma and share stories amongst each other, which is beneficial because they all can relate in some shape or form. Since I started observing this PTSD group, many of the veterans expressed how difficult it is to share their combat experiences with their family and friends because they don’t understand. Also, connecting with their loved ones was a whole other issue. The veterans believed that everyone was judging them and therefore they would isolate themselves and cope with substance use. For any veteran with PTSD, it’s important to find people who will listen without judgment (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2014). Strengths of using CBT in a PTSD group is identifying thoughts about the world and yourself that are making you feel afraid or upset. With the help of the clinician, the veterans are learning how to replace these thought with more less distressing thoughts in order for them to feel and behave differently about themselves or

Evidence points to CPT’s efficacy as a psychological treatment for PTSD and has demonstrated potential to decrease symptoms of depression and guilt. Although more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of CPT with various populations, both the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs are recommending CPT as an evidence-based treatment for PTSD. A major benefit of CPT the gains are noticeable in a very short period. The rapid response to treatment is particularly important to military and active-duty populations for whom time may be limited (Keane TM, Marshall AD, Taft

This theory proposes that a traumatic event produces maladaptive assumptions and beliefs about the world, other people, and the self that interfere with recovery (Schultz, Barnes-Proby, Chandra, Jaycox, Maher, & Pecora, 2012). CBITS uses cognitive-behavioral techniques (for example, psychoeducation, relaxation, social problem solving, cognitive restructuring, and exposure). Cognitive-behavioral therapies work to teach people skills to combat these underlying issues, including correction of maladaptive assumptions, processing the traumatic experience instead of avoiding it, learning new ways to reduce anxiety and solve problems, building peer and parent support, and building confidence to confront stress in the future (Schultz, et al.,

Prior to CBT, the participants in the study (Resick et al., 2012) completed PTSD symptom scale, self-report measure, and diagnostic interviews. They then received a total of 13 hours CBT, achieved through twice weekly sessions. Finally, they took the posttest assessments, then long-term posttest assessments 5-10 years after completing the study. At posttest, the sample went from 100% diagnosed with PTSD to 22.2% in the long-term follow-up. This data supports that CBT helped a significant portion of this group of female sexual assault survivors reduce their symptoms to the point that they no longer meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD, and the results were lasting for most, with only two who relapsed (Resick et al., 2012)

One of the most common treatment options for PTSD is cognitive behavior therapy. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a therapy in which one recognizes the ways of thinking that keep them stuck and tries to work through it. One of the first steps in CBT is being aware of your thoughts and feelings and understanding what is triggering the PTSD. Those who suffer from PTSD often blame themselves for what happened, and feel that if they would have done something different they could have changed the outcome. In CBT, one goes through their thoughts to see whether or not they are accurate. The blame that one feels is an inaccurate thought that is causing distress. During therapy, the goals is not to change what happened, but alter what one tells themself about the event in a positive way to decrease the PTSD symptoms. By doing this the PTSD symptoms slowly disappear and the results start to show. Michael Phillips and Shirley Wang wrote in their newspaper article that various studies show two-thirds of the people who complete CBT have alleviated their PTSD symptoms (Phillips and Wang 2). This shows that over half of the people who receive CBT treatment show signs of improvement. CBT is covered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and is one of the treatments that are most highly

The emergence of research dedicated to TF-CBT and its focus removes a significant amount of ambiguity from the prescription of treatment. Due to the overwhelming positive response in research, clinicians now can confidently recommend TF-CBT and prevent further suffering within patients. Also, completing additional research in this area could lead to even more efficient and helpful methods of treatment. For young people who experienced trauma, this interactive treatment method can bring about progressive changes in their behavior and their thoughts, which can help to eradicate PTSD over the course of treatment as well as the time that follows it.

TF-CBT is an evidence based practice that has evolved in the past 25 years and has been extensively researched within the treatment of PTSD and trauma effects such as depression, distress, anxiety, and cognitive and behavioral problems. This paper will contain a detailed description of the methodology of TF-CBT and an examination of a few peer reviewed studies, which tests the effectiveness TF-CBT has on children and adolescents who suffer from PTSD, neglect, or other trauma impacts.

During the 1980’s an anxiety disorder known as PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, was recognized when one experienced something horrific and then began to re-experience the traumatic event (Bobo, Warner, and Warner 799). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can not be cured, only treated. PTSD was originally brought into perspective when combat Veterans could no longer face their experiences on the battlefield. As years went on, victims of rape, assault, or witnesses of a traumatic event were also diagnosed with PTSD. Although society knows the name of this disorder, PTSD is often underrecognized and under-treated (Bobo, Warner, and Warner 797). Many know that it is an anxiety disorder, but few understand the risks that come along with it.

One theory to consider when looking at the cause of PTSD is Psychodynamic Theory. This theory says that early childhood experiences are key to the patterning of one’s

The literature has shown children dealing with PTSD have many intervention tools that can be administered by clinicians in direct practice. PTSD can present symptoms that are often diagnosed as anther disorder such as oppositional defiant, conduct, mild TBI, and separation anxiety. There are many evidence-based intervention tools used in treatment such as recovery techniques, pharmacotherapy, psychoeducation, psychodynamic and cognitive behaviour therapy. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is the most used intervention tool in direct practice, and it is used in countries around the world. CBT is used with children with different ethnicities with ages ranging from preschool to high school. Many clinicians use CBT with other intervention treatment

CBT is a relatively young model and theory. What we know as CBT, began in the 1950's with Albert Ellis's Rational Emotive Behavioral approach to therapy (Dobson, 2001). Later in the 1960's, Aaron Beck began using Cognitive Therapy in treating depression. (Barlow, 2001. 230) The origins of what we now know as cognitive behavioral theory is said to come from earlier theories and concepts. Credit can be given to early philosophers such as Kant (1782), theorists such as Alfred Adler (Individual Psychology), and behaviorists such as Joseph Wolpe and George Kelly . Frued can also be mentioned, albeit indirectly, for his theory was quite distressing to Adler who stated, “I am convinced that a person's behaviors springs from his ideas.” (pg 306. Milkman and Sunderwirth, 2010). Pavlov and Skinner can also be acknowledged, for their work in learned behavior and conditioning, which directly correlates to the concepts of cognitive behavioral therapy. More recently, A.

Two treatment models that are used for survivors of PTSD are Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and spirituality. The effectiveness of these two treatment models are supported by several resources. Resick (2001) notes that “CPT is a manualized, 12-session, specific form of CBT for PTSD that has a primary focus on cognitive interventions.” The first session of CPT is