Download Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post
Traumatic
Stress
Disorder
(PTSD)
What is Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
PTSD is a type of disorder that occurs after a person has seen
or experienced a traumatic event that involved the threat (or
perception of threat) of injury or death. PTSD can occur at
any age and can follow a natural disaster such as a flood or
fire, and events such as war, a prison stay, assault, domestic
violence or sexual assault.
Why do we use
Group Therapy?
The program offered by The Cairns Clinic is conducted in
groups. Group therapy has been proven to be effective for
the following reasons:
1. Shared Experiences:
Sharing perceptions and reactions in a group setting allows
individuals to see they are not alone in the way they are
affected by their problems and that other people have
problems of a similar nature.
2. Relatedness
It can be overwhelming for an individual to manage in the
home setting and a feeling of isolation can develop. Group
therapy can help to foster a sense of relatedness as patients
meet others who also need help in managing Anxiety &
Depression.
3. Support
A PTSD group provides support in many ways, such as
showing genuine concern and providing encouragement to
overcome difficulties in managing change.
4. Education & Skills Training
PTSD is a psycho-educational approach to the treatment of
emotional problems and the maintenance of good mental
health. Experienced therapists not only explain the processes
involved in the maintenance of mental health problems,
but also teach proven treatment methods to lessen the
symptoms of PTSD.
5. Peer Feedback
Group PTSD provides an opportunity for constructive
feedback from peers and is a valued component of the
therapeutic experience.
What does the
Group PTSD Program
consist of?
CBT is the basis for the treatment of PTSD because it directly
meets the needs of the different stages of PTSD. It is present
and problem orientated to reduce current symptoms. It is
brief, time-limited and structured with the goal of strong
treatment gains over a short time frame. It is educational
with an emphasis on rehearsal of new skills. It is directive
and collaborative, guiding patients while emphasizing
patient’s mature contribution to their own treatment. It
also teaches self-control strategies, to help patients acquire
functional behaviours that may never have been developed
or may have deteriorated due to PTSD.
Patients are encouraged to commit to action and the
importances of cognitions are addressed through the
identification of beliefs and restructuring of distorted
thought processes. Additional features of the program
include use of educational research strategies, a focus on
potential rather than pathology; attention to language
and interpersonal connections. The material is focused on
the patient’s lives and the influences of managed care and
finally the connection between substance abuse and PTSD.
Generally, the program consists of 1 full day per week
for several weeks. During this time, the group members
are taught the relationships between feelings, thoughts
and behaviours and how to apply personal insight and
newly acquired knowledge into action in their lives. Group
members are encouraged to record events that affect
them negatively and present them in a group setting for
discussion and problem solving.
Proven treatment strategies are taught in a systematic
way with constructive feedback being given so that the
group members can learn new ways of managing, habitual,
automatic reactions related to their PTSD.
Program Content includes:
• Overview of PTSD
• Detaching from emotional pain
• When substances control you
• Asking for help
• Taking good care of yourself
• Compassion
• Honesty
• Recovery thinking
• Integrating the split self
• Commitment
• Creating meaning
• Community resources
• Relationships and boundaries
• Supportive recovery
• Coping with triggers
• Self-nurturing
• Healing from anger
• Life choices and purpose
Costs
Private Health insurance generally covers the cost of
treatment but patients are recommended to check the level
of cover that their health fund offers for treatment. Staff
are available to discuss our current fees with those patients
who wish to pay their own treatment.
The Cairns Clinic is a fully accredited private psychiatric
hospital offering a wide range of health fund approved
treatment programs for both inpatients and day patients.
The services provided are designed to maximise
recovery from mental health problems and maintain
good mental health.
To learn more about the program
please ring: 07 4050 7000
The Cairns Clinic
253 Sheridan Street, Cairns, Qld, 4870
ph: 07 4050 7000 - fax: 07 4050 7001
www.thecairnsclinic.com.au