Can 8-12 weeks of CBT really heal 18 years of trauma?

[Pinkshowerpuff]

I have been struggling for a long time and I don't really know how to talk to the doctor so I was looking at self referral but all i can see in my area is 8-12 week courses of CBT. Does it work for this kind of thing?

No. Insofar as trauma gets healed as opposed to integrated, a course of CBT doesn't do it, you do it. CBT is a technique that can be of use in processing and dealing with a trauma, though. And it's a technique that you take away and can use subsequently.

I think it’s a good place to start, but may not be enough.

I decided to pay for therapy after years of trauma. It was a matter of life and death for me. It’s a huge struggle financially, but I couldn’t imagine having a time limit on when I was meant to feel better. I’ve been in therapy for about a year and I’m nowhere near ready to finish. Also CBT, from my understanding, isn’t necessarily the best option for trauma. Things like EMDR etc are often suggested for trauma.

However, it may give you some skills to help and may let you know if investing in private therapy is something worth looking into. Especially as I’m not sure you’ll get much else on the NHS, so it is certainly better than nothing.

It really depends. CBT is mainly about education - teaching you about the connection between thoughts, beliefs (subconscious, not religious) and behaviours. Once you understand how your mind works (and how you can change pretty much anything in your life with this knowledge) you can apply it retrospectively.

The success will depend not on CBT but on the relationship between you and the therapist and how much effort you are prepared to put in between sessions.

From my experience, 18 years of CBT wouldn't heal 8 to 12 weeks if trauma.
Can you afford psychotherapy privately?

I have to go against the grain and say that I had a short course of therapy that did resolve childhood trauma and many years of depression - but it was CAT (cognitive analytical therapy) not CBT.

This therapy is designed to be done over 16 or 24 weeks and I found it incredibly transformative. May be worth checking it out?

Hello,

It won't be a magic wand that will heal it but if you go in with an open mind it might give you a new insight into ways of coping when you are feeling low or it might give you a new understanding of something you weren't aware of before.

When i did CBT it was hard work but i came away with a few really valuable new pieces of information about what might be causing my anxieties. Whilst it didn't cure my anxiety it helped me understand it and notice triggers. It's worth going with a curious and open mind and without expecting miracles. good luck op. xx

CBT made things worse for me .

I am currently having CAT through the NHS after years of issues. Like @JorisBohnson2 said it is transformative - I would definitely recommend - I’m not sure if it is area dependent but it would be worth asking about it.

@PhoebeFriends

I am currently having CAT through the NHS after years of issues. Like *@JorisBohnson2* said it is transformative - I would definitely recommend - I’m not sure if it is area dependent but it would be worth asking about it.

I initially had it on the NHS but then continued with it private as I moved to a different area. At around £600 for the course of 16 sessions it was extremely affordable.

Acat (association of cognitive analytical therapy) has details of qualified private practitioners.

In my experience cbt helped with the here and now but not the trauma and the fall out in behaviours linked to that.

Psychotherapy was the only way for me. I needed to unpick the root and understand how I'd been shaped by it.

After that cbt worked well to challenge my behaviours and automatic responses to things and helped me own my decisions and actions.

Best of luck