Trauma Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Book excerpt: Trauma Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy describes a step-by-step approach to a brief evidence-based psychodynamic psychotherapy for PTSD, focusing on veterans. This therapy program aims to develop patients' capacity to better reflect on their experiences and develop an integrated self-awareness of the various factors that affect their mental states and symptoms, all of which contribute to PTSD. The book begins with an overview of the psychodynamic factors relevant to treatment of PTSD, then proceeds to describe the therapy program, articulating how to address potential barriers to engaging the patient, including mistrust, disruptions in narrative coherence, dissociation, shame, and ongoing terror. A chapter is also devoted to discussing the impact of COVID-19 on traumatized patients and the treatment of trauma.