Traumatic Stress Center

The Traumatic Stress Center is dedicated to the treatment and investigation of trauma, posttraumatic stress and other common trauma-related problems. Our staff includes psychologists, social workers and counselors, and we train graduate students and postdoctoral trainees in trauma-informed best practices. We provide clinical assessments, individual therapy and group therapy for traumatic stress and related problems. Through our clinical services, training program and scientific research, the Center has had regional, national and global impact on the science of trauma and the well-being of people affected by traumatic events. 

Clinical

Traumatic events affect people differently. Symptoms of conditions associated with trauma can develop soon after the event or can emerge much later, and they can last for a few days or weeks or can persist for much longer. 

Individual Therapy

• Prolonged Exposure Therapy - an evidence-based practice for treating posttraumatic stress. The treatment includes education about common reactions to trauma; learning skills to cope with high levels of anxiety; approaching situations that are not dangerous but that people may be avoiding as a result of their trauma; and revisiting trauma memories and discussing reactions to that process. The Center can use virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) as another tool to help its patients with PTSD. Patients wear a virtual reality headset that creates an immersive sensory environment that helps activate the trauma memory in a therapeutic way, so that it can be emotionally processed to alleviate the intense distress that the memory often evokes. The patient discusses these immersive experiences and feelings with their therapist. 
• Cognitive Processing Therapy - an evidence-based practice for treating posttraumatic stress. The treatment includes education about common reactions to trauma; writing about traumatic experiences and the personal meanings of those traumas; and learning to identify, challenge and change certain trauma-related beliefs that may be incorrect, irrational or distorted in some way.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy - this therapy focuses on changing one’s thoughts, beliefs and behaviors. It helps patients learn skills that will improve emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and effective communication, and will decrease self-destructive behaviors and other unhealthy coping mechanisms.
• General Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - this set of treatments helps trauma survivors to increase awareness of the connections between their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Strategies may include working to change unhelpful thoughts, managing emotions in healthy ways and trying new behaviors.

Group Therapy

Summa Health offers several therapy groups including:

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Cognitive Processing Therapy
• Managing Traumatic Stress and Substance Use
• Coping with Grief and Loss
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Anger Management
• Avoidance Behavior Reduction
• Sleep and Nightmare Treatment
• General Coping Skills
• Trauma Intensive Outpatient Program