Prolonged Exposure for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A short-term, evidence-based therapy that helps individuals safely confront trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations to reduce PTSD symptoms and regain a sense of control.

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What Is Prolonged Exposure Therapy?

Prolonged Exposure (PE) is a highly effective, structured form of cognitive behavioral therapy developed specifically to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It helps you gradually face the trauma-related memories, thoughts, and situations you’ve been avoiding—so they no longer have the same power over your life.

 

Treatment typically involves 8 to 15 sessions, each lasting about 90 minutes. It was developed by Dr. Edna Foa at the University of Pennsylvania and has been backed by over two decades of research showing significant reductions in PTSD symptoms across a wide range of trauma types.

Whether you’re coping with trauma from combat, sexual assault, accidents, abuse, or other life-threatening events, Prolonged Exposure can help you move from survival mode to living fully again.

How Prolonged Exposure Helps You Heal

PTSD causes your brain to stay on high alert, constantly reacting to danger—even when you’re safe. Many people with PTSD cope by avoiding reminders of their trauma. While this may bring short-term relief, it often reinforces fear and anxiety over time. Prolonged Exposure works by gently helping you re-engage with these memories and experiences in a safe, controlled environment, so your brain can learn that you’re not in danger anymore.

You don’t have to “relive” your trauma all at once. Instead, PE breaks the process down into manageable steps, always paced according to your comfort and readiness.

What to Expect in Treatment

Prolonged Exposure follows a consistent structure, which includes four main components:

  • Education About PTSD: You’ll learn how trauma impacts the brain and body, how avoidance keeps symptoms going, and how PE helps interrupt this cycle. Understanding why you feel the way you do can be deeply validating and empowering.
  • Breathing Techniques: You’ll practice controlled breathing exercises to manage physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid heartbeat or shallow breathing, especially when confronting triggering material.
  • Real-World Exposure (In Vivo Exposure): With your therapist’s support, you’ll identify and gradually face safe, real-life situations you’ve been avoiding because of your trauma, like driving, public spaces, or certain conversations. Over time, your anxiety will decrease, and your confidence will return.
  • Imaginal Exposure: This involves recounting the trauma memory aloud in session with your therapist, at your own pace. By doing this repeatedly in a supportive environment, the emotional intensity tied to the memory decreases. You gain more control over your thoughts and reactions, and the memory becomes less distressing.

Why Prolonged Exposure Works

  • It’s research-proven: PE is one of the most studied and validated treatments for PTSD.
  • It’s empowering: You learn that avoidance is not the only option—you can tolerate and move through discomfort.
  • It’s efficient: Many clients begin seeing improvements within just a few sessions.
  • It’s adaptable: Whether your trauma stems from combat, assault, abuse, or a serious accident, PE is tailored to your unique experience.
  • It’s widely recommended: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other leading institutions use PE as a first-line treatment for PTSD.

Begin Your Healing Journey

You don’t have to keep avoiding what happened. You can face your trauma, not to re-live it, but to reframe it. With the guidance of a trained therapist at the Behavioral Wellness Clinic, Prolonged Exposure can help you reclaim your sense of safety, connection, and self-worth.

Contact us today to schedule an intake session or to learn more about how PE can help.

Healing is possible. Let’s take the next step together.

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Reaching out takes courage, and you don’t have to do it alone. At BWC, we provide a safe, compassionate space where you’ll be heard, supported, and guided toward real healing.
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