Response to Correen
After reviewing Jake’s case the evidence-based practice that I selected for him is
Prolonged Exposure Therapy. According to the American Psychological Association
(2021) is an intervention that is used alongside cognitive behavioral therapy. This
evidence-based practice helps the patient confront their fears. By using this evidence-
based intervention is slowly assisting the patients in gradually facing their trauma
related fears, memories, feelings and situations that they have experienced. By having
the patient face their fears means that there can be a decrease in their PTSD
symptoms, but this is also teaching them that trauma related memories are not
dangerous and don’t have to be avoided. Although this evidence-based intervention
may work for one patient we need to keep in mind that they do not work for everyone.
According to the American Psychological Association (2021) the case study that was
presented on a man named Terry who was a 42-year-old earthquake survivor
constantly avoided thoughts or images that were closely related to his injuries, deaths
he had witnessed, or anything pertinent to the earthquake that he had experienced. He
was putting himself into his work and partook in his hobbies. But when he was not
busy thinking or doing something actively her would have unwanted thoughts about
the earthquake and nightmare followed as well. Having Terry participate in Prolonged
Exposure Therapy will help him face his fears and help decrease his thoughts when he
has free time and not participating in his hobbies or work. Using this evidence-based intervention would be useful for Jake because it would help
him to process his PTSD and his experiences from being in the military. Leading to
being able to have closure through each event that is worked on during his sessions. One of the issues that I can foresee in using Prolonged Exposure Therapy is Jake’s
ability to respond to this treatment. Using this treatment may make him uncomfortable
because it is a interventions that has you face your fears. And over many years it can
be difficult for some individuals to be ready for this kind of intervention. So, when
using this intervention, we must make sure that we are taking it slow and guiding
them through this treatment one step at a time. In order for this intervention to be successful is to make sure that there is full family
support and patience. Involving the family means that they would know what Jake is
experiencing and Jake would be able to know that he is not alone in this process,
receiving reassurance is huge especially when facing memories, thoughts and actions
that you want to forget. With patience means that we are not working with him in a
provoking manner. Doing this intervention can or may cause anxiety and we need to
understand that this comes along with PTSD. When utilizing this intervention, we
need to make sure that we are reassuring Jake that this is a safe place even though we
may be encountering memories, thoughts and fears.
One of the identifiable factors that can or may come into play is anxiety. Anxiety is
something that tags along with PTSD and affects many veterans when they return
home. This may hinder any implementation of this intervention. This intervention can
cause anxiety and make the person feel uncomfortable. Like I stated before it may be
too early for someone to face their fears, memories and fears. Following this we need
to make sure that we assure the patient that they are in a safe place and reassure them
that we are there to help them. During sessions being overwhelmed is something that
may occur and at that point that is occurring a break might be needed to recuperate
oneself. Taking time to process trauma, fears and memories helps to build rapport
with the client because you are making them feel heard and comfortable talking to you
about their situation especially when it comes to treatments like this. Reference American Psychological Association. (2021). Prolonged Exposure (PE). Retrieved
from https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/prolonged-exposure