Our Treatments
Prolonged Exposure (PE) for Adults & Adolescents
What is Prolonged Exposure?
Prolonged Exposure (PE) is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) developed by Dr. Edna Foa. PE is based on the understanding that avoidance of trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations maintains PTSD symptoms and prevents natural recovery. The treatment helps individuals process traumatic experiences and reduce the power these memories have over their daily lives.
PE consists of four main components: education about trauma and PTSD, breathing retraining for managing anxiety, in vivo exposure to safe situations you’ve been avoiding, and imaginal exposure to trauma memories through repeated, detailed recounting. Through this systematic approach, clients gradually confront their fears in a safe, therapeutic environment while learning that trauma memories, while painful, are not dangerous.
PE has extensive research support and is recommended as a first-line treatment for PTSD by major medical and psychological organizations. The treatment typically involves 8-15 sessions and focuses on helping individuals reclaim their lives from the grip of trauma by facing avoided situations and processing difficult memories with professional support. Many clients experience significant symptom reduction and improved quality of life.
Is Prolonged Exposure Right For Me?
This randomized clinical trial compares the effectiveness of prolonged exposure vs cognitive processing therapy for treating posttraumatic stress disorder in veterans, with research consistently supporting PE’s effectiveness across diverse populations. PE is particularly suited for individuals whose PTSD symptoms significantly interfere with their daily functioning and who are ready to commit to the challenging but rewarding work of trauma processing.
This approach is ideal for clients who have been avoiding trauma-related situations, thoughts, or feelings and who are motivated to reclaim areas of their life that trauma has impacted. Through systematic exposure and processing, clients learn that they can tolerate difficult memories and emotions, and that avoidance is not necessary for safety. PE is especially beneficial for high-functioning individuals whose career or personal goals are being compromised by trauma-related avoidance and anxiety.