Treating Trauma: Expert Insights on Top 3 Therapies

Dr. Tracy Marks discusses trauma and its impact on mental health, introducing three evidence-based therapies: EMDR, CPT, and PET. She uses a gas station holdup scenario to illustrate trauma symptoms and explains how each therapy addresses these issues. EMDR focuses on desensitizing traumatic memories, CPT challenges faulty beliefs, and PET confronts avoidance behaviors. The video concludes with a comparison of the therapies, highlighting their effectiveness and suitability based on individual preferences.

What is the primary focus of targeted therapy in addressing trauma?

• To provide general mental health support

• To address complex symptoms of trauma

• To offer career counseling

• To treat physical injuries

In the gas station example, what was the main reason the parent felt like a failure?

• They didn't call the police immediately

• They felt they failed to protect their children

• They gave away their wallet

• They couldn't remember the attacker's face

How does EMDR therapy help in processing traumatic memories?

• By enhancing emotional processing through bilateral brain stimulation

• By avoiding the memories

• By focusing solely on positive memories

• By using medication to suppress memories

What is a key component of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)?

• Writing an impact statement about the traumatic event

• Avoiding discussions about the trauma

• Using medication to treat symptoms

• Focusing only on physical symptoms

Which therapy involves using a manual to guide through sessions?

• CPT

• None of the above

• EMDR

• PET

What does the 'A' in the ABC worksheet of CPT stand for?

• Avoidance

• Action

• Activating event

• Analysis

Which therapy is described as more like exposure therapy?

• CPT

• EMDR

• PET

• None of the above

Which therapy is used by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a primary treatment for PTSD?

• CPT

• PET

• None of the above

• EMDR

What is the main goal of Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET)?

• To focus on physical rehabilitation

• To face and manage anxiety related to the trauma

• To provide group therapy sessions

• To avoid all reminders of the trauma

What is the purpose of in vivo exposure in PET?

• To avoid real-life situations

• To expose oneself to real-life situations

• To discuss the trauma in group settings

• To focus on imaginary scenarios