WARNING: If you have Developmental Trauma, PTSD, or Complex PTSD, or even chronic stress, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) may be contraindicated because it does not work when access to the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is limited, as it is with those conditions.
Two years ago a psychologist big on CBT insisted on teaching me “the filmstrip metaphor” instead of acknowledging my trauma, my janked-up nervous system, or even that going blank is a sign of overwhelm. He failed to direct me to the trauma-informed specialists I needed, and instead put me on the Trauma Train Express!
In 5 weeks I went from traumatized and depressed to being inappropriately medicated, retrauatized, and abused at the local Cukoo’s Nest, owned by America’s largest mental hospital chain, #UniversalHealthServices or #UHS. This corp just settled a $122M fraud suit with the feds and state govts for the practices that abuse patients. But nothing for the victims, it being “justice” in America.
Two years after CBT “treatment,” I’m still in recovery for the deep harm this method caused me because it is not trauma-informed and actually inappropriate for those whose brains are on fire.
Yes, CBT is studied the most, bla bla, but it is wrong to push this onto trauma survivors before their PFCs can come online. Until then, it is useless and shaming at best.
#TraumaAwareAmerica
#StopPsychAbuse
#NoCBTforTrauma
#TraumaInformedCare
#TraumaAwareness
#HelpDontHarm