RESTORE Program at Ascension Seton provides trauma therapy

October 10 is World Mental Health Day. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has taken an emotional and physical toll for many. For people who struggle with existing mental health conditions, such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the virus may exacerbate existing symptoms such as hypervigilance, flashback, fear, severe anxiety, mistrust, insomnia and more.

Additionally, data shows that a third of Americans now show signs of clinical anxiety or depression amid coronavirus pandemic. According to the Census Bureau, these findings suggest a huge jump from before the pandemic.

Dr. Valerie Rosen, psychiatrist at Ascension Seton, and her team lead the RESTORE Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) which was developed to help people who have been impacted by a recent or past traumatic event. Currently due to the pandemic, the program is being led virtually. Composed of evidence-based treatments, the program helps those who may be struggling to function due to fear, anxiety and other natural responses to trauma and may be experiencing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The RESTORE Program retrains the mind and body to learn it is no longer in danger by incorporating the following treatment components:

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is the primary treatment component of the RESTORE program. CPT is an evidenced based, time limited treatment which focuses on examining thoughts and challenging beliefs about what happened to support healing from trauma
• Trauma-Sensitive Yoga helps regain control of the body and its fight or flight responses
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) provides tools to cope with and tolerate difficult emotions
• Resilience training aims to renew the ability to discover positive changes after trauma and feel comfortable in the world again

The program is a closed group of up-to 10 patients. Once the program has started, new patients are not introduced so the group can build trust with each other. Approximately 50 percent of patients no longer meet criteria for PTSD after the six week IOP. In addition, those who retain their diagnosis and participate in all aspects of the program show clinically significant improvement.

Registration for the program is now open. Interested participants can call 512-324-2039 to learn more.