Treatments and Services

The RESTORE Center offers a variety of evidence-based treatments for PTSD. “Evidence-based” means the therapies we offer have been studied scientifically and shown to be effective.

Patients work with their provider to select the treatment option that best fits their needs, and can choose from coping skill treatments (lower intensity) to trauma-focused treatments (higher intensity)—or more than one. All of our services and treatment plans are tailored to meet the needs of our patients’ preferences and cultural expectations. We closely monitor progress to inform each patient’s treatment journey and improve their outcome.

Our services include:

• Cognitive processing therapy (CPT). CPT is a specific type of cognitive (thoughts) and behavioral (actions) therapy that is effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD. CPT helps patients learn how to challenge and modify unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma. Patients adopt a new understanding of their trauma, which reduces the impact of the trauma on their current lives. CPT is a strongly recommended first-line treatment for PTSD and is generally 12 appointments.
• Brief skills training in affective and interpersonal regulation (Brief STAIR). Brief STAIR (generally 5 appointments) is a coping skills–based treatment, tailored to the needs of each patient, that can improve trauma-related issues with management of emotions and social and relationship effectiveness. A person receiving the treatment can:
  • Develop effective coping skills for distressing feelings
  • Learn how to become more aware of and comfortable with emotions
  • Identify unhealthy relationship patterns
  • Strengthen skills that can improve their relationships
• Web-administered STAIR (webSTAIR). WebSTAIR is an online, self-help version of Brief STAIR that is available in English and Spanish. It consists of ten online lessons that teach skills for coping with emotions and improving relationships. Each lesson is completed at the patient’s own pace and can include interactive exercises, brief assignments/worksheets, or audio and video. The RESTORE team provides coaching support to help patients proceed through this program.
• Written exposure therapy (WET). WET is a brief treatment (generally 5 appointments) in which patients spend a portion of each session writing about their target trauma, including what they were thinking and feeling during the event, and then talking with their provider about it. Patients write about the same trauma for all WET appointments.
• Evaluation for medication and medication management
• Connection to community organizations and resources