Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event – combat, assault, abuse, a serious accident, a natural disaster or the sudden loss of a loved one. Most people recover from trauma with time and support, but for some the mind stays on high alert long after the danger has passed. PTSD is treatable, and evidence-based therapies help people reclaim their lives. The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Services treats PTSD and trauma-related conditions through outpatient programs at our Lancaster, PA Outpatient Center.
Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD symptoms fall into four groups and must last more than a month and cause significant distress or impairment:
- Intrusion – unwanted memories, flashbacks, nightmares, and intense distress or physical reactions when reminded of the trauma
- Avoidance – steering clear of people, places, conversations or feelings connected to the event
- Negative changes in thinking and mood – persistent fear, guilt, shame or anger; feeling detached from others; loss of interest; inability to feel positive emotions; distorted beliefs about oneself or the world
- Changes in arousal and reactivity – being easily startled, constantly on guard, irritable or aggressive, engaging in reckless behavior, trouble sleeping or concentrating
Who develops PTSD?
Veterans and first responders are well-known groups, but PTSD affects survivors of childhood abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, serious accidents and medical trauma at high rates. Women are roughly twice as likely as men to develop PTSD. Complex PTSD, which follows prolonged or repeated trauma, can also involve difficulty regulating emotions, negative self-perception and problems in relationships.
PTSD and substance use
People with PTSD are far more likely to develop a substance use disorder. Alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines and cannabis dull hypervigilance, quiet nightmares and blunt intrusive memories – briefly. Over time, substances worsen sleep, mood and avoidance, and withdrawal amplifies anxiety. Treating addiction without treating trauma leaves the driver of use untouched. Our programs treat both together, and clients without substance use receive dedicated mental health care.
Treatment for PTSD
Levels of care
- Inpatient or residential psychiatric care – for people who are in crisis or need 24-hour supervision to stay safe.
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP) – full-day psychiatric and therapeutic care five days a week at our Lancaster Outpatient Center, with supportive housing available. Most clients complete PHP in 8–12 weeks.
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP) – three-hour group sessions three days a week while you live at home, typically for 5–6 weeks.
- Outpatient therapy and medication management – ongoing weekly care after you complete a structured program.
Trauma-focused therapies
The most effective treatments for PTSD are trauma-focused psychotherapies. Cognitive processing therapy (CPT), which The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Services provides, helps clients identify and change the beliefs formed by trauma – about safety, trust, control, self-worth and intimacy – that keep the stress response active. Dialectical behavior therapy builds skills for managing overwhelming emotions and grounding during flashbacks. Cognitive behavioral therapy addresses avoidance and anxiety. Our psychiatric providers can prescribe medications such as SSRIs and prazosin for nightmares, and they help clients taper off benzodiazepines, which can interfere with trauma recovery.
Learn more about PTSD treatment in Pennsylvania at our Lancaster programs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail?
Trauma-focused therapy is done at your pace with a trained clinician, and you stay in control. Approaches like CPT focus on the beliefs trauma created rather than requiring you to relive every detail.
Can PTSD be treated in an outpatient setting?
Yes. PHP and IOP provide the structure and frequency of care that trauma-focused therapy needs, without the disruption of a hospital stay.
Is treatment available for veterans and first responders?
Yes. Our clinical team has experience treating service-related and occupational trauma, and we welcome veterans, first responders and healthcare workers.
Get Help for PTSD and Trauma in Lancaster, PA
The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Services offers partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs for ptsd and trauma at our Outpatient Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with supportive housing available at our Outpatient Residence for clients in PHP. Our admissions team is available 24/7 to answer questions, verify your insurance and help you decide on the right level of care. All calls are free and confidential.
