Posttraumatic stress disorder is a mental disorder which can occur in persons who have suffered a very strong and life-threatening event. A traumatic event for any person is a sudden, unexpected and unpleasant occurrence for which a person is not prepared. Traumatic experience can leave permanent psychological, emotional, behavioral and physical consequences with which the traumatized person has difficulty dealing on a daily basis. The health and life quality of such persons is impaired. They are not the same as they were before the trauma had occurred. This is best acknowledged and recognized by the person’s family, who suffers the most. Psychotraumatized persons distance and alienate themselves from their family. Further, they cannot function normally at their work and in their family surroundings. Furthermore, they experience a feeling of helplessness, which is characteristic for the traumatized person and their family as well. The family members do not know how to help. It is important to react on time and to look for help. For the treatment to be successful it is crucial for the family to participate because it should act as the biggest support for the patient. Also, the inclusion of the family in the treatment is good for mending broken family relationships. The first contact of the patient and their family with the doctor happens during a medical interview. The medical interview is a form of communication which aims at establishing a partnership in which the patient, their family members and the doctor mutually respect and appreciate one another and gain each other’s trust. Active listening and empathy are the communication skills important for achieving that. These skills can be learned and need to be practiced. Successful and quality communication is most important because it is the precondition of a successful treatment.