PTSD Treatment in Atlanta

If you seek PTSD treatment in Atlanta, you can expect an individually designed treatment program focused on your unique treatment needs and goals. Comprehensive treatment programs typically consist of a combination of therapy, support groups, and in some cases, medication to help alleviate specific symptoms.

Often referred to as psychotherapy or “talk therapy,” cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most frequently used therapeutic models. The goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy (or CBT) is to encourage you to identify, remember and examine the event and the feelings attached to the traumatic event. Once you can understand how the emotions experienced when you recall specific memories affect your day-to-day life, you will be better able to alter negative thinking patterns and practice healthy coping strategies for facing trauma in the future. Cognitive-behavioral therapy takes place in a supported, safe setting allowing participants to focus less on fear of recalling the event and more on learning and mastering coping mechanisms to use when they are triggered in the future.

Support groups are another form of therapy used in PTSD treatment in Atlanta. Like talk therapy, support groups provide a safe and supported environment where participants can talk about their experiences. The benefit to support groups is the opportunity to share experiences with peers who have shared similar trauma and symptoms relating to that trauma. The ability to share and feel supported often makes the feelings of isolation so common with post-traumatic stress disorder feel less overwhelming.

Your mental health provider may suggest including antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, or sleep aids as part of your treatment program, depending on your unique symptoms. When used as directed, these medications can help reduce the intensity and severity of some symptoms such as depression, fear, panic, anxiety, and sleeping difficulties, helping you better focus on treatment and healing.