Effective non-pharmacological interventions for managing PTSD in primary care include trauma-focused psychological treatments such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which typically involves up to 12 sessions and includes exposure therapy, trauma-focused cognitive therapy, and re-establishing adaptive functioning NICE CKS.
Trauma-focused CBT should be adapted to the individual's age and development, involving parents or carers as appropriate for children and young people NICE CKS.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) may be offered to children and young people aged 7 to 17 years with PTSD if they do not respond to or engage with trauma-focused CBT NICE NG116.
Active monitoring is recommended for people with subthreshold symptoms of PTSD within 1 month of a traumatic event, with follow-up contact arranged within 1 month NICE CKS.
Psychologically-focused debriefing is not recommended for the prevention or treatment of PTSD NICE CKS.