PTSD Anxiety Treatment: A Guide to Effective Methods
Understanding the Connection Between PTSD and Anxiety
PTSD anxiety treatment involves evidence-based therapies that address both trauma and anxiety symptoms simultaneously. The connection between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and anxiety runs deep, as a traumatic event can disrupt the brain's natural processing systems, creating persistent fear responses that fuel both conditions.
While PTSD shares some symptoms with other anxiety-related conditions, it's important to distinguish PTSD as a trauma-related condition with unique treatment needs. Unlike general anxiety, posttraumatic stress stems from specific traumatic experiences that require specialized therapeutic approaches. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective PTSD treatment.
The encouraging news? Recovery is absolutely possible. With proper, science-backed care, many people achieve significant improvement or complete recovery. Effective treatments can help you reclaim your life from flashbacks, panic attacks, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness. Modern neuroscience has revolutionized our understanding of how trauma affects the brain—and more importantly, how targeted therapies can create lasting healing.
I'm Libby Murdoch, a licensed professional clinical counselor and certified clinical trauma professional specializing in treating PTSD using brain-based approaches. As a developer of Resilience Focused EMDR and a trainer for clinicians, I've dedicated my solo practice, Brain Based Counseling, to helping high-achieving individuals heal from trauma through intensive, personalized EMDR therapy. My approach combines cutting-edge neuroscience with compassionate care to create transformative results for in-person clients in Cincinnati and online clients across Ohio and North Carolina.
Understanding PTSD: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Its Link to Anxiety
To find the right PTSD anxiety treatment, it's essential to understand posttraumatic stress. It's a mental health condition that can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a deeply traumatic event. This trauma impacts the parts of the brain that handle fear and memory, leaving a person feeling stuck in a state of heightened anxiety long after the traumatic experience has passed.
PTSD isn't simply about reliving a difficult memory; it's as if the brain gets "stuck" in survival mode. PTSD symptoms typically fall into four main categories:
Intrusion Symptoms: Unwanted memories, distressing flashbacks, or nightmares that make it feel like the trauma is happening again. Intrusive thoughts are also common. Dissociative responses, such as flashbacks, depersonalization, and derealization, can occur as involuntary and distressing responses to trauma triggers.
Avoidance Symptoms: This involves actively trying to stay away from people, places, or even thoughts that remind you of the trauma. The avoidance pattern is a key part of the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, as it can prevent long-term healing despite providing temporary relief. This avoidance often develops as the brain attempts to protect itself from reminders of the traumatic experience.
Negative Changes in Thoughts and Mood: Persistent negative beliefs about yourself or the world, feelings of guilt or shame, and feeling detached from others or unable to experience positive emotions. A persistent negative emotional state and dissociative responses, such as feeling disconnected from reality, are also common features.
Hyperarousal and Reactivity: Feeling constantly "on edge," irritable, easily startled, or having trouble concentrating and sleeping. This state of high alert directly fuels the anxiety that accompanies PTSD. These symptoms can include exaggerated startle response and sleep disturbance, which are significant arousal indicators.
For a PTSD diagnosis, these symptoms must last for more than a month and significantly impact your daily life. The process of diagnosis involves evaluating the duration, severity, and impact of symptoms, often using standardized tools and criteria. Many people develop PTSD after experiencing traumatic events, but the journey to healing looks different for everyone. Recovery is absolutely possible with appropriate mental health care. Factors like strong social support and personal resilience help, but seeking personalized, expert care from a mental health professional is the most crucial step toward lasting change.
Causes and Risk Factors for PTSD and Anxiety
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorders are complex mental health conditions that can arise after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. While traumatic experiences such as military combat, sexual assault, or serious injury are well-known triggers, not everyone who goes through trauma will develop PTSD. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), PTSD is classified as a trauma and stressor-related disorder, and its diagnosis is based on specific criteria that consider both the nature of the traumatic event and the persistence of symptoms.
Why do some people develop PTSD or persistent anxiety after traumatic events, while others do not? Research suggests that a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors play a role. For example, individuals with a family history of mental health conditions, those who have experienced multiple traumatic events, or those with a history of anxiety are at higher risk. Changes in brain chemistry have also been observed in people with PTSD, along with alterations in brain regions responsible for emotion regulation and memory.
Certain risk factors can increase the likelihood that someone will develop PTSD. These include experiencing prolonged psychological distress, having persistent symptoms like sleep disturbance or avoidance patterns, and marked physiological reactions to reminders of the trauma. Veterans, first responders, and survivors of repeated or severe traumatic events are particularly vulnerable, but PTSD affects people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Even acute stress responses, if left untreated, can progress to chronic PTSD.
When it comes to treating PTSD, trauma-focused therapies are considered primary treatments. Cognitive processing approaches, prolonged exposure methods, and cognitive behavioral techniques have strong research support and are recommended in clinical guidelines. These approaches help individuals process traumatic memories, challenge negative beliefs, and gain control over avoidance patterns and physiological reactions. Cognitive techniques specifically help people recognize and modify unhelpful thought patterns related to their traumatic experiences.
It's important to remember that PTSD treatment is not one-size-fits-all. A mental health professional can help determine the best approach, whether that's individual therapy, group support, or specialized treatments like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Early intervention and access to effective mental health care can make a significant difference in preventing the development of chronic PTSD and supporting long-term recovery.
Understanding the causes and risk factors for posttraumatic stress empowers individuals and their loved ones to seek timely help and access the right resources. With the right support and evidence-based PTSD treatment, it is possible to move beyond the impact of traumatic events and experience positive emotions, resilience, and renewed well-being.
An Overview of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy: EMDR Intensive Therapy
When you're struggling with trauma and anxiety, trauma-focused psychotherapy is central to effective PTSD anxiety treatment. In my practice at Brain Based Counseling, I offer a specialized, well-supported approach: EMDR Intensive Therapy. This model is designed to help your brain process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional grip, so relief can arrive more swiftly and lastingly.
When considering psychological treatment for posttraumatic stress, trauma-focused therapies such as EMDR are often preferred due to their strong evidence base and focus on addressing the underlying causes of trauma. Clinical research has consistently demonstrated the effectiveness of EMDR in treating PTSD, with clinical guidelines recognizing it as a primary treatment approach.
Rather than spending months learning to manage around symptoms, the intensive EMDR format focuses on resolving the root drivers of anxiety and PTSD. By working in longer, carefully structured sessions across 1–3 consecutive days, I help you build momentum, minimize reactivation between sessions, and support your nervous system through each step of healing. The result is a personalized plan that meets you where you are and adapts as your needs evolve.
Trauma-focused therapy is considered a primary treatment for PTSD, supported by clinical guidelines and research. Studies continue to validate the effectiveness of specialized treatments like EMDR in helping people recover from traumatic stress.
Managing Symptoms Safely Within EMDR Intensives
Psychotherapy is the cornerstone of recovery for PTSD and anxiety. In my practice, that means using EMDR in a structured, intensive format to help you feel safer and more in control while I guide you through the deeper work of reprocessing.
Here's how I help you manage difficult symptoms throughout the process:
Stabilization First: Before targeting traumatic memories, I help you build a comprehensive plan for grounding and containment so you have reliable tools to use in and between sessions. This preparation is crucial for treating PTSD effectively and safely.
Personalized Pacing: I guide the process at a pace that matches your nervous system, adjusting the intensity of reprocessing based on your individual therapy needs and personal response.
Clear Session Structure: Each day includes preparation, reprocessing, and closure so you leave sessions feeling anchored and stable.
Ongoing Evaluation: I continuously reassess your safety and readiness so treatment remains aligned with your goals and capacity. This ongoing assessment helps ensure that the trauma-focused approach remains appropriate and effective.
If you currently work with a medical provider, I'm happy to coordinate care (with your consent) to support a cohesive, client-centered plan. My role is psychotherapy; I do not prescribe medication. If questions arise about medical options, I recommend discussing them directly with your healthcare provider.
A Deep Dive into EMDR: A Brain-Based PTSD Anxiety Treatment
If you're looking for a treatment that can help you heal at a deeper level, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) offers a powerful, brain-based approach for treating PTSD that addresses the root cause of your symptoms. EMDR is specifically designed to treat posttraumatic stress by targeting traumatic memories and facilitating adaptive processing.
At Brain Based Counseling, I specialize in this transformative approach because I've seen how it creates lasting change for high-achieving individuals carrying the weight of unprocessed trauma. I work with women navigating high-functioning anxiety, women healing from betrayal trauma, and first responders coping with cumulative stress and PTSD. EMDR intensives are tailored and adjusted based on individual response, ensuring the approach is effective and well-tolerated.
What is EMDR Therapy and How Does It Work?
EMDR is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps people heal from disturbing life experiences without needing to engage in extensive talk therapy about the painful details. It's based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which suggests that trauma can get "stuck" in the nervous system. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing uses bilateral stimulation (like eye movements or tapping) to activate both sides of your brain, jump-starting its natural ability to process and integrate traumatic memories. The memory is still there, but it no longer triggers an overwhelming fight-or-flight response.
Clinical research has extensively studied EMDR's effectiveness, with controlled studies demonstrating its efficacy in treating traumatic stress. This extensive research base has led to EMDR being recognized in clinical guidelines as one of the most effective specialized treatments for PTSD.
The 8 Phases of a Personalized EMDR Treatment Plan
EMDR follows a structured eight-phase approach to ensure your healing is safe and effective. This systematic process is customized to your specific needs:
Phase 1: History-taking and Treatment Planning: I begin by understanding your story, identifying traumatic memories, and developing a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific symptoms.
Phase 2: Preparation and Resourcing: I'll teach you coping skills and grounding techniques to ensure you feel safe and in control throughout the process.
Phase 3: Assessment of the Target Memory: I help you pinpoint a specific traumatic memory and the negative belief it created about yourself or the world.
Phase 4: Desensitization: This is the core reprocessing phase. While you focus on the memory, I guide you through sets of bilateral stimulation, allowing your brain to do its natural healing work.
Phase 5: Installation of Positive Belief: I help you work to strengthen and solidify a new, healthier perspective about yourself and gain control over your emotional responses.
Phase 6: Body Scan: I check with you for any remaining physical tension related to the memory, using bilateral stimulation until you feel calm and grounded.
Phase 7: Closure: Each session ends with strategies to help you feel grounded and stable, ensuring you can manage any residual activation.
Phase 8: Re-evaluation: I start subsequent sessions by checking your progress to ensure the healing is holding and address any additional concerns.
Why EMDR Intensives Fit High-Achievers—and Others Who Need Results
As a high-achieving professional, you may appear capable on the outside while battling internal worry or overwhelm—a state often called "high-functioning anxiety." Many high-achievers also experience mental health challenges that can complicate daily functioning. The EMDR intensive therapy model—typically 1–3 consecutive days, with 4–6 hours per day of focused treatment—allows for deep, uninterrupted healing that fits into a busy life. It respects your time while offering a clear path forward.
EMDR intensives are designed to address the root cause of symptoms by resolving unprocessed traumatic memories that drive anxiety, avoidance, and reactivity. This approach supports lasting, meaningful change as your nervous system learns new, more adaptive responses to stress. My role is to tailor every step to you—your goals, your pace, and your capacity—so the process remains both effective and compassionate.
Staying Current While Focusing on What Works
The field of PTSD anxiety treatment continues to evolve. In my practice, I focus on delivering a proven, neuroscience-informed approach—EMDR Intensive Therapy—so you receive care that is both effective and personalized. Clinical research and evidence from controlled studies are essential for evaluating the safety and efficacy of PTSD treatment approaches, ensuring that only rigorously tested interventions are recommended.
Ongoing research continues to expand our understanding of traumatic stress, its impact, and the best approaches for treatment. Rather than experimenting with unproven methods, I invest in continual training and refinement within EMDR so the therapeutic work I do with you remains safe, strategic, and oriented toward measurable change.
If you're curious whether an EMDR intensive is right for you, I'm happy to discuss your goals, scheduling options, and what a customized plan could look like.
Your Path to Healing: Preparing for Treatment
Taking the first step towards PTSD anxiety treatment is a courageous decision. Understanding what to expect and how to prepare can make this journey feel much more manageable and empowering. During the initial assessment, I also screen for other mental health concerns, as these can impact treatment planning and outcomes.
What to Expect From My Intake Process
Inquiry and Consultation: After you reach out, I'll schedule a 20-minute consultation call to learn about your goals, answer questions, and determine whether an EMDR intensive is a good fit for treating your specific symptoms.
Scheduling and Onboarding: If you wish to move forward, I will work with you to select dates for your intensive. I'll then send intake paperwork, informed consent, practice policies, and EMDR pre-screening forms.
Intake Appointment: My next contact with you is your intake session. I review consent, policies, and procedures, and assess safety and stability for intensive work focused on treating PTSD.
Comprehensive Clinical Intake: I complete an in-depth interview to understand your history, current symptoms, strengths, and goals. This helps me understand how posttraumatic stress has affected your life and what approach will be most beneficial.
Collaborative Plan: I then work with you to create a custom treatment plan before moving into intervention, so each step aligns with your needs and priorities for recovery.
I offer in-person sessions in Cincinnati and online sessions throughout Ohio and North Carolina. My practice accepts out-of-network benefits only. Please reach out for current availability and scheduling details.
How to Prepare for Your First PTSD Assessment
Your first assessment is a collaborative starting point. To make the most of this initial appointment, consider jotting down a few things beforehand:
Your Symptoms and Concerns: Note any flashbacks, anxiety, sleep disturbance, or mood changes you've been experiencing.
Your Triggers: What people, places, or situations seem to worsen your symptoms?
Your Questions: This is your time to ask about the EMDR intensive format and what to expect from this specialized treatment.
Your Personal Treatment Goals: What do you hope to achieve? Better sleep? Less anxiety? The ability to experience positive emotions again? Reconnecting with loved ones?
Preparing for your assessment is a proactive step on your healing journey and helps ensure we can develop the most effective treatment approach for you.
Building a Support System and Practicing Self-Care
Beyond formal therapy, nurturing yourself and connecting with others are vital parts of your healing. Building a strong support system and consistently practicing self-care can significantly improve your recovery from posttraumatic stress.
Connect with Trusted People: Share what you're comfortable with and let others support you through your healing journey.
Find Healthy Coping Strategies: Engage in activities that reduce stress, like exercise, creative pursuits, or time in nature.
Establish a Routine: A predictable daily rhythm can be incredibly grounding for those recovering from traumatic stress.
Prioritize Physical Health: A nutritious diet, regular movement, and good sleep hygiene have a profound impact on mood and resilience.
Use Relaxation Techniques: Simple practices like deep breathing or mindfulness can calm your nervous system and help you gain control over anxiety responses.
How Loved Ones Can Provide Meaningful Support
When someone you care about is navigating PTSD, your support is crucial. Here are a few ways to help:
Learn About PTSD: Understanding posttraumatic stress fosters empathy and reduces frustration. Many resources provide helpful information for families.
Listen Without Judgment: Offering a non-judgmental ear is incredibly validating for someone working to heal from traumatic experiences.
Encourage Professional Treatment: Support them in seeking and sticking with therapy from a qualified mental health professional.
Prioritize Your Own Well-being: It's vital to practice self-care and set boundaries to avoid burnout while supporting someone with PTSD.
Finding Hope and Moving Forward
Healing from PTSD and anxiety is a journey toward profound personal growth and strength. While the path can be challenging, the encouraging news is that specialized, brain-based therapies offer a clear and hopeful way forward. Clinical guidelines consistently recognize that with appropriate treatment, people can recover from posttraumatic stress and experience positive emotions, renewed relationships, and a sense of purpose.
At Brain Based Counseling, my goal is to help you take that crucial next step toward lasting recovery. As Libby Murdoch, I've built my solo practice around EMDR Intensive Therapy and a personalized, neuroscience-informed approach. The work I do with you is customized to you—never one-size-fits-all—and focuses on resolving the root causes of distress so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
I understand the unique pressures faced by high-achievers, including women with high-functioning anxiety and those healing from betrayal trauma. I also support first responders seeking relief from cumulative stress and PTSD. For in-person care, I serve the Cincinnati area—including Indian Hill, Madeira, Mason, Hyde Park, Mount Lookout, Mount Adams, and Terrace Park. Online sessions are available throughout Ohio and North Carolina.
My practice accepts out-of-network benefits only. For current scheduling information and to explore whether an EMDR intensive is right for you, please reach out. If you're ready to break free from the grip of trauma and anxiety and live a life unburdened by the past, I invite you to learn more about my specialized approach and next steps.