Phase-Oriented
An approach to therapy that addresses domains of functioning impacted by trauma in a sequential manner emphasizing establishment of client safety and coping prior to working directly with traumatic memories. Its most classic form, introduced by Dr. Judy Herman, is comprised of three phases: Safety; Remembrance and Mourning; Reconnection. Other variations include a 5-phase model articulated by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk: Safety; Stabilization; Desensitization; Cognitive Processing; Reconnection. An empirically-supported, 2-phase version championed by Dr. Marylene Cloitre consisting of emotion regulation followed by memory processing has been identified by ISTSS as the gold-standard for treatment of CPTSD in adults.