Brief eclectic psychotherapy (BEP) is used for treating PTSD. Often used by emergency personnel, it combines several therapy elements to treat a specific issue in a short period of time.

Brief eclectic psychotherapy (BEP) is a type of eclectic therapy treatment that is often suggested for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Eclectic therapies aim to adapt to a person’s individual needs while using several treatment approaches.

Brief eclectic psychotherapy is considered an integrated therapeutic approach. This means it combines elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with other treatment strategies.

When applied over a limited number of sessions to address a specific problem, BEP can help some people find meaning in their traumatic experiences and develop coping strategies.

Brief eclectic psychotherapy (BEP) is a therapy that’s intended to treat PTSD for a short period of time. Emergency personnel and others may use it to manage the effects of a single event that led to symptoms of PTSD.

BEP therapists aim to change or redirect painful thoughts and feelings that result from a traumatic event, focusing on the emotions of shame and guilt.

BEP includes a specific number of treatment sessions, each with a defined objective. There are 16 sessions outlined as such:

  • Session 1: The treatment strategy is introduced. You will describe the traumatic event that has led to your PTSD symptoms.
  • Sessions 2 to 6: You will discuss the traumatic event as if it’s happening in real time. Bringing physical objects as reminders of the event is often suggested. The therapist will use relaxation and breathing exercises to help counter distressing emotions. Sometimes, you are encouraged to do writing “homework” to help express more complex emotions.
  • Session 7: In this session, you will take time to evaluate the treatment. Your therapist will note successes and failures, and treatment is adjusted if needed.
  • Session 8 to 15: These sessions are designed to explore how the event has affected you and what you have learned from it. Often, traumatic events change how someone views themself or the world. These themes and ideas are discussed in relation to the trauma, and you may realize that you are changed as a result of the trauma.
  • Session 16: This last session involves a relapse prevention plan and a farewell ritual. This ritual is helpful in creating closure and helping you recognize that the trauma is now in the past. It’s important to say farewell to the traumatic period and look forward to better days.

This type of short-term therapy relies heavily on the relationship between the therapist and the patient. It’s important to find a licensed therapist who has had training with brief eclectic psychotherapy for PTSD and that you feel comfortable opening up to.

As with newer therapies for PTSD, BEP can have several benefits, including:

  • Efficiency: It is designed to treat a specific issue in a limited amount of time.
  • Individual approach: BEP can be tailored to your specific needs and use many different therapeutic approaches.
  • Technique flexibility: The therapist can switch between different treatment approaches in order to tailor the therapy to your needs.
  • Addresses underlying issues: BEP quickly dives into the root causes of PTSD and uses different approaches to target surface-level symptoms, as well as underlying issues.

Your options for therapy for PTSD

PTSD can affect your life in many ways, and there are just as many therapeutic approaches to help you manage it. Here are some Healthline articles that can help:

Brief eclectic psychotherapy is usually considered safe. However, there are some potential downsides to consider:

  • Lack of structure: The integrated style of BEP may not offer the structure or clear goals of more standardized approaches.
  • Technique confusion: BEP will use multiple therapy approaches, which may seem confusing at times. This is more noticeable if the therapist is not skilled in an integrated approach.
  • Emotional stress: Temporary increases in anxiety or sadness may happen while reliving traumatic experiences during therapy. This is a common side effect of treatments for PTSD.
  • Therapist proficiency: The success of BEP is closely tied to the therapist’s ability to combine different therapeutic approaches.

When going through an emotionally difficult time, it can also be helpful to reach out to trusted sources of support in your life.

If you’re interested in trying brief eclectic psychotherapy, ask your doctor for a referral or search an online therapist directory:

Make sure to work with a licensed therapist who is familiar with an integrated therapy approach.

If you have insurance, your insurance company may list therapists in your area who are familiar with brief eclectic psychotherapy, so you may want to check with them early in the process.

Brief eclectic psychotherapy (BEP) is a short-term therapeutic approach used in treating PTSD. It combines different treatment strategies to address underlying trauma.

BEP consists of 16 treatment sessions, each with a defined objective. At the end of treatment, the patient is encouraged to have a farewell ritual, putting the traumatic event in the past.

BEP may be covered by your insurance if it is deemed “medically necessary” to treat your PTSD. Learn more about how to get an official diagnosis of PTSD.