Focus on early maladaptive schemas can reduce PTSD burden

Using SFT, clinicians can talk through and identify the possible intentions of those in the patient’s life to reinforce the notion that the people in their life might be both imperfect yet trustworthy, Ms. Loyo said.

SFT can also be used to address childhood trauma that caused a patient’s development of early maladaptive schemas. This kind of work can build trust between the clinician and the patient – and make subsequent treatments more effective.

Unlike a typical trauma narrative, SFT focuses on increasing awareness of patients’ emotions before the trauma occurred and how they felt while addressing the moment the trauma occurred. In addition, SFT uses a slightly different form of imagery scripting in an effort to acknowledge patients’ pain and direct them in a more constructive direction to channel those emotions into rebuilding values such as trust.

Ms. Loyo reported no financial disclosures.

ezimmerman@mdedge.com

SOURCE: Loyo KT et al. ADAA 2018.