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  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Founders
    • 2018 KCM ANNUAL REPORT
    • BOARD OF DIRECTORS
    • STATEMENT OF FAITH
  • BIOS
  • SERVICES
    • BOLD LOVE
    • EMPOWER
    • OSF
    • REVIVE
  • MEDIA
  • BLOG
  • PASTORS RESOURCE
  • CONTACT
  • Español

Operation
Soul
​Freedom

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Get The Facts

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is found to affect both combat and non-combat military personnel; from approximately 10 percent in those with no-combat experience, to as much as 80 percent in personnel who have experienced heavy combat (Fontana & Rosenheck, 2008). And while just 17 percent of combat troops are women; 71 percent were found to have PTSD due to sexual assault within the ranks. According to the National Center for PTSD (a VA supported organization), multiple studies suggest a 10–18 percent likelihood of PTSD following deployment for troops who served in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. Probabilities for PTSD were found to be even higher among Reservists and National Guard members (12-24 percent). Most concerning is the fact, that, the prevalence of PTSD does NOT diminish over time without proper treatment. The longer a veteran suffers from untreated PTSD, the greater the likelihood for higher degrees of pathology.

Watch this powerful video testimony from Sgt. Ben Bese (Ret.) and wife, Michelle,
​regarding their experience with KCM's course of treatment for military PTSD.

PTSD – What To Look For

Intrusion Symptoms:
  • Unwanted, distressing memories of the traumatic event(s)
  • Recurring trauma-related nightmares
  • Flashbacks – involuntary and vivid re-experiencing of the traumatic experience(s)
  • Intense emotional distress and/or noticeable physiological reactions to trauma reminders
Avoidance Symptoms:
  • Persistent avoidance of thoughts and memories related to the trauma
  • Persistent avoidance of external reminders of the trauma (e.g., the location at which the trauma occurred or people that remind you of the trauma)
Negative Alterations in Cognitions and Mood:
  • A complete lapse in memory of or a feeling of blacking out for parts of the trauma
  • Perpetual negative expectations of the world
  • Continuous, misattributed blame of self or others about the traumatic event
  • Persistent negative emotional state and/or the inability to experience positive emotions
  • Loss of interest or participation in significant activities or activities once interested in
  • Feelings of detachment from others, as well as feeling like others cannot relate or understand the trauma and emotional burden
Alterations in Arousal and Reactivity:
  • Easily irritable or angry
  • Reckless or self-destructive behavior (e.g., unprotected sex, reckless driving)
  • More alert
  • Easily startled
  • Problems with concentration
  • Difficulties sleeping, including falling asleep and/or staying asleep

Best Practices for Treatment

KCM utilizes a Christ-centered, Scripturally-rooted approach to treating PTSD that blends two of the highest rated, empirically proven techniques. The first being Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), comprised of two main components:
  • Imaginal exposures (repeated confrontation with the traumatic memories)
  • In vivo exposures (systematic confrontation with avoided trauma-related situations)
These components typically are coupled with processing of the imaginal exposure experience, education about common reactions to trauma, and anxiety management (i.e., controlled breathing, relaxation exercises, etc.).
​
The second technique employed with KCM's treatment of PTSD involves Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), which targets irrational thinking and cognitive distortions such as self-blame and/or feeling powerless against all danger. The four main components of CPT are:
  1. Learning about PTSD symptoms
  2. Becoming aware of thoughts and feelings
  3. Learning skills to manage the thoughts and feelings
  4. Understanding the changes in beliefs that occur because of the trauma.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment,
contact us today at 661.324.4070, ext. 302
or info@kcmcounseling.com.

Contact us today!

Telephone

661.324.4070

email

info@kcmcounseling.com
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