I voted "yes".

With single-incident trauma I think immediate counseling/therapy with someone skilled in trauma recovery could very
well avoid the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Maybe not post traumatic stress; in the literature I've read, the majority of those who undergo a traumatic experience will have PTS immediately following the incident. I don't think it is inevitable that with trauma comes the disorder.

Isn't it true that sometimes, in the wake of natural disasters, PTSD can be avoided if the response of the community, family, and professional community is strong, empathic and supportive? I do think the external responses can have a definite impact on whether or not PTSD develops.

Now, with chronic and/or repeated trauma, that gets more difficult because at what point would the person be given help? First time? Mid-way? When they can get away (in the case of torture, kidnap, incest/child abuse)?

-Dylan