What are the Different Types of PTSD treatment?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can deeply affect daily life, relationships, and your sense of safety. The good news is that PTSD treatment works. With the right approach, people can regain control, feel safer, and move forward after trauma. This guide explains the most effective PTSD treatments in clear, simple language—so you know what to expect and how to take the next step toward healing.
Assessment: The First Step Toward Healing
Before beginning treatment, a mental health professional will complete a detailed assessment. This step helps ensure the treatment plan fits your specific needs. If you are seeking a formal PTSD diagnosis, your provider may complete a CAPS-5 assessment around the trauma event.
What Happens During an Assessment?
Discussion of your symptoms and how long they’ve lasted
Review of your trauma history (only if you feel comfortable)
Evaluation of how symptoms impact your daily functioning
Identification of other mental health concerns such as depression or anxiety
You can start by talking with your primary care provider or contacting a mental health clinic directly. If symptoms have lasted more than four weeks or are severe, treatment is usually recommended.
Treatment: What Options Are Available?
PTSD treatments fall into two major categories:
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) – the primary and most effective option
Medication – often helpful when combined with therapy or when therapy alone is not enough
Treatment can start even years after the trauma. It’s never too late to get help.
Psychotherapy: Evidence-Based Approaches That Work
Most PTSD therapy is trauma-focused, meaning it helps you process the traumatic event and change how it affects you today.
Common elements of effective therapy include:
Safely confronting trauma memories and triggers
Challenging unhelpful beliefs (e.g., guilt, shame, fear of future harm)
Learning coping skills for anxiety and distress
Improving sleep, relaxation, and daily functioning
First-Line Treatments (Most Recommended)
These treatments have the strongest research support and are recommended by major mental health organizations like the APA:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT focuses on the relationship between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. For PTSD, therapists use trauma-focused CBT to help you revisit memories safely and challenge negative thinking patterns.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
CPT helps you examine and change unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma—such as self-blame or feelings of danger. You learn new ways to interpret what happened and rebuild a more balanced perspective.
Prolonged Exposure (PE)
PE teaches you to gradually face trauma memories and situations you’ve been avoiding. Over time, these memories become less distressing, and you regain confidence in your ability to cope.
Second-Line Treatments (Helpful Alternatives)
These treatments are effective but may have less research support or be better suited for specific individuals. These therapies can be especially helpful when first-line options aren’t available or preferred.
Cognitive Therapy
A form of CBT that focuses on shifting negative evaluations and trauma-related thoughts.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR involves recalling the trauma while following side-to-side eye movements or taps. This reduces the emotional intensity of the memory and helps reshape how you think about it.
Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)
NET helps you build a meaningful, coherent life story that places traumatic events in context.
Medications
Medication can reduce PTSD symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and nightmares.
Most Effective Medications for PTSD:
Paroxetine
Sertraline
Venlafaxine
These medications take time to work and are usually continued for at least 12 months if effective. They may be used when:
You prefer medication over therapy
Therapy alone hasn’t helped enough
Ongoing danger or stress makes therapy difficult
Severe depression interferes with progress
Your provider will discuss side effects, dosage changes, and how to safely discontinue medication.
