Post Traumatic Stress Research

People who have been victimized often have stress symptoms that linger. A common form of victimization in our society today is sexual assault. The psychological impact of sexual assault on a victim is immediate and may last a long time (Comer, 2015). One study found that 94 percent of rape victims qualified for a clinical diagnosis of acute stress disorder when they were observed around 12 days after the assault (Rothbaum et al., 1992). Although some sexual assault victims improve psychologically within three or four months, for many others, the profound effects of their assault persist for years (Rothbaum, 1997). For many victims, the psychological effects take the form of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a Trauma and Stress-Related
To help clients gain control over intrusive symptoms, CPT counselors examine the way thoughts and emotions resulting from flawed interpretations about a traumatic event may influence future emotional processes and behaviors (Resick & Schnicke, 1992). The target symptoms may include guilt, decreased quality of life, impairment of mental health, degree of social functioning, and health perceptions (Galovski, Blain, Mott, Elwood, & Houle, 2012). It is the role of the counselor to help clients identify irrational thoughts or avoidance behaviors that are interfering with healing (Resick & Schnicke, 1992). A basic assumption in CPT is that memories of an event need to be activated in the present so that maladaptive thoughts and related symptoms that interfere with their processing can be identified and replaced with more adaptive information (Resick & Schnicke, 1992). CPT typically takes place over 12 clinical sessions, during which clients are assigned homework to practice and process concepts learned during sessions (Resick et al.,
It emphasizes the person’s innate striving for self-actualization, the personal characteristics of the therapist and the quality of the therapeutic relationship, the counselor’s creation of a permissive, “growth promoting” climate. There are many core concepts of Person-Centered therapy that I do not align with; for example, in Person-Centered Therapy, there is a belief that most clients have the capacity to understand and resolve their own problems without directive intervention by the therapist. I do not necessarily agree with this, and as a therapist, I would take a directive role in therapy with most of my clients. I would not necessarily use Person-Centered Therapy to form my therapeutic goals. I would incorporate aspects such as congruence (genuineness or realness); unconditional positive regard (acceptance and caring, but not approval of all behavior); and accurate empathic understanding (try to imagine life in their