Interview With Trauma Therapist Brandon Lutman

PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a mental health condition that stems from experiencing or witnessing a terrifying, often life-threatening event. If left untreated, the condition can last decades and may be triggered by certain images, sounds, or situations.

Complex PTSD, or CPTSD, is a similar condition that can develop as a result of chronic, long-term trauma rather than a single life-threatening event. Lutman equates such experiences to a “psyche rupture” in which a person lacks the emotional capacity to cope over a long period of time.

Rehabilitation centers like Beachway recognize PTSD and CPTSD as two distinct conditions that necessitate different forms of treatment. Both terms differ from trauma, which can be debilitating but is not a condition in its own right. For many people, extreme trauma can lead to PTSD if it is left unaddressed.

There are many ways to address trauma, and Beachway uses a variety of strategies to help patients heal. “We treat the symptoms that are left behind from the legacy of trauma,” Lutman says, “We believe you have to treat the body in order to treat the trauma.”

The right treatment method varies from person to person. Here are some of the techniques Beachway applies to patients enrolled in their Trauma Resolution Program.

EMDR

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR, is a form of therapy used to help patients process traumatic memories. This treatment mimics the brain’s activity during deep sleep, making it less painful to address disturbing thoughts.

EMDR sessions are guided by a therapist who facilitates the necessary eye movements. The process can help patients manage triggers by reviewing them in a controlled manner. EMDR is often utilized in addition to talking therapy and may speed up the healing process for those who struggle to manage debilitating triggers.

CBT

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of talking therapy frequently used to help patients suffering from a variety of mental health conditions. This method provides a safe space for patients to process traumatic events while restructuring harmful associations.

This type of cognitive restructuring often proves useful to those with PTSD, who struggle to escape the cycle of traumatic turmoil. Developing coping skills through this method can also empower patients to shift their thinking.

DBT

Dialectical behavioral therapy is another form of talk therapy that uses opposites or dialectics to prompt healthy change and acceptance. This method is particularly useful for patients who need extra help to control intense emotions and negative stress responses. Emphasis on positivity and goal-setting can have a regulating effect that minimizes extreme mood swings.

DBT is often prescribed to patients with a dual diagnosis who need help managing multiple conditions, such as PTSD and depression. In many cases, greater emotional management can aid in recovery for both conditions at once.

Like all members of the Beachway team, Lutman is passionate about making a difference in his patients’ lives. He describes the sense of accomplishment that comes from watching them grow from guarded, mistrusting individuals into positive, forward-thinking people.

“To watch them at the end of their treatment before they move on to the next phase of their journey, to watch them say or feel heard, to feel seen, and most importantly to feel understood. And to be able to articulate that to us is one of the greatest joys for me,” Lutman says.

Lutman has worked in the mental health field since 2016 and joined Beachway in 2020. Working exclusively in the trauma program, he advocates the importance of treating the mind and body as a cohesive unit. Through experiential therapy and personalized, solution-focused treatment, Lutman looks to the past and present to help clients realize their dreams for the future.