Trauma-specific treatments are techniques that specifically relieve the symptoms associated with post-traumatic symptoms. No treatment is right for anyone all the time but a great deal of work is going into establishing evidence-based forms of treatment so that we can better judge what is effective for each individual person regardless of their stage of recovery.
Many of the children, adolescents and adults who are seen in mental health and social service environments suffer from very complex and interrelated problems for which a diagnosis of PTSD is not adequate. People who suffer from these complex problems often seek mental health treatment for other diagnoses such as major depressive disorder, dissociative disorders, other anxiety disorders, substance abuse disorders, and personality disorders.
Dr. Judith Herman in her now classic book Trauma and Recovery, first described this as "complex PTSD".
Since then, other pioneers, particularly Dr. Christine Courtois and Dr. Julian Ford have extensively described the presentation and treatment of people with these kinds of complex problems related to trauma.
Another excellent and detailed resource for therapists is a new book by David Read Johnson and Hadar Lubin, both pioneers in the trauma field.
A wide variety of expressive techniques are being used to treat children and adults.
Video of Ms. Perrin, Creative Arts Therapist and the Sanctuary Model