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