Narrative Exposure Therapy Part 1

Psychologists at Combat Stress are trained in a range of different therapies to allow us to tailor our treatment to the needs of each veteran. 

One of these therapies is Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), a therapeutic approach specifically designed to support veterans with PTSD and Complex PTSD. 

NET is based around the creation of a timeline. During the therapy sessions, a veteran is encouraged to construct a timeline of significant events throughout their life, with rocks symbolising a traumatic event, flowers indicating a happy memory, candles representing a loss, and sticks signifying an event where the veteran has themselves perpetuated violence or trauma.

By revisiting and processing these events in a safe and supportive environment, a veteran can regain a sense of control over their memories and emotions, leading to a gradual reduction in symptoms such as flashbacks, hypervigilance, and emotional numbing.

“Equipping our specialist staff with the expertise to deliver a range of different therapies means we can deliver the best and most appropriate treatment to a veteran to help aid their recovery,” says Dr Naomi Wilson, Head of Psychological Therapies.