Rogers Memorial Hospital Opens Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Program

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May 20, 2014, 02:07 ET

OCONOMOWOC, Wis., May 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Physical or sexual assault, a car or other accident, a natural disaster or even witnessing a life-threatening event are only some of the events that can contribute to the nearly 8 million American adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To address this increasing community need, Rogers Memorial Hospital is opening a new adult partial hospitalization program for single-incident PTSD at their newly expanded location at Lincoln Center I in West Allis.

Chad Wetterneck, PhD, is a full-time psychologist who specializes in utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in the treatment of anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with care focused on victims of vehicular and industrial accidents, assaults and environmental disasters. He is also a clinical supervisor at Rogers’ Oconomowoc, Wis. location, where he has developed training modules and interventions for application in partial, intensive outpatient programs and residential levels of care. He has also supervised behavioral specialists in the obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) program for children and adolescents and developed a partial hospitalization PTSD program. (PRNewsFoto/Rogers Memorial Hospital)

"We find that people with PTSD tend to alienate themselves both internally and externally after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event," said Chad Wetterneck, Ph.D., a full-time psychologist who specializes in the treatment of anxiety and PTSD.

"Our goal is for patients to take committed action toward recovering from their PTSD. We want them to re-engage in their life, regardless of the thoughts or feelings they may have stemming from a negative event in their life."

The PTSD program at Rogers uses an evidence-based component of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) called prolonged exposure as part of treatment. Studies show that – by helping patients change their relationship to the trauma, by retelling the experience and identifying what they see and how they feel – patients become more confident and accepting of their feelings related to the incident. This approach also promotes safety with the feelings the patient is experiencing in the present moment.

In addition to 2.5 hours of CBT each day, the program will have components of light physical exercise, mindfulness and interpersonal process groups. Each of these activities contributes to overall mental health and provides the opportunity for individuals to re-engage in peer communication with people who have experienced similar things.

"Rogers is very experienced in developing specialized programs to target very specific symptoms in a mental health diagnosis. The supportive environment and ability to treat many of the conditions that often co-occur or develop with PTSD such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse are an added benefit," Dr. Wetterneck continued.

For more information on the Rogers PTSD partial hospitalization program, please visit www.rogershospital.org.

Rogers Memorial Hospital is a key corporation of Rogers Behavioral Health System, which also includes: Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation, Inc.; Rogers Partners in Behavioral Health, LLC; Rogers Center for Research and Training; and Rogers InHealth. The hospital has become nationally recognized for its specialized residential treatment services and affiliations with academic institutions and teaching hospitals in the area. Rogers Memorial Hospital is currently Wisconsin's largest not-for-profit, private behavioral health hospital, providing adults, children and adolescents with depression and mood disorders treatment, eating disorders treatment, addiction treatment, obsessive-compulsive and anxiety disorders treatment, as well as caring for a variety of other child and adolescent mental health concerns. For more information, please visit www.rogershospital.org.