UConn Health Psychological Trauma Clinic

We offer gold-standard, comprehensive, evidence-based diagnostic assessments focused on determining the impact of psychological trauma exposure on daily functioning and psychological disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and other forms of co-occurring impairment. Assessments result in a diagnostic report, which includes specific recommendations for psychological treatment and intervention strategies at home and/or school. There is an option to include psychological testing to assess for possible cognitive impairment and/or learning difficulties.

Evidence-based psychotherapy to treat trauma-related symptoms/impairment will be provided if clinically indicated based on an initial clinical assessment. Recommendations may involve a program of individual, group, or family therapy to assist children, youth, and families in recovering from and managing trauma-related symptoms and impairment. Treatment plans will be individualized to minimize the risk of adverse reactions while maximizing the likelihood of treatment success.

Treatment models utilized include (but are not limited to):

Trauma Affect Regulation: Guide for Treatment and Education (TARGET)
TARGET is designed to help trauma affected individuals to better understand and manage traumatic stress reactions and regulate unwanted emotions and behaviors without explicitly utilizing a therapeutic exposure component.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
TF-CBT is designed to reduce symptoms of posttraumatic stress, depression, and other trauma-related symptoms and utilizes a skills development component and a therapeutic exposure component that involves development of a written or illustrated trauma narrative.

Prolonged Exposure (PE)
PE is designed to reduce symptoms of posttraumatic stress and related symptoms and utilizes a combination of therapeutic exposure and trauma memory processing. Therapeutic exposure is in the form of imaginal retelling of the trauma memory in session.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
CPT is designed to reduce symptoms of posttraumatic stress and related symptoms and utilizes written exercises and therapy discussion that facilitate trauma memory processing and recovery.

Strengthening Family Coping Resources (SFCR)
SFCR is a family-centered intervention designed to foster protective family coping resources with the goal of reducing symptoms of posttraumatic stress and related symptoms.