Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)

Prolonged exposure is a specific type of cognitive behavioural therapy that teaches individuals to gradually approach trauma-related memories, feelings and situations.

People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often try to avoid anything that reminds them of the trauma. This can help you feel better in the moment, but not in the long term. Avoiding these feelings and situations actually keeps you from recovering from PTSD. PE works by helping you face your fears. By talking about the details of the trauma and by confronting safe situations that you have been avoiding, you can decrease your PTSD symptoms and regain more control of your life.

Prolonged exposure is typically provided over a period of about three months with weekly individual sessions.

Therapists begin with an overview of treatment and understanding the patient’s past experiences. Therapists continue with psychoeducation and then will generally teach a breathing technique to manage anxiety.

Generally, after the assessment and initial session, exposure begins. As this is very anxiety-provoking for most patients, the therapist works hard to ensure that the therapy relationship is perceived to be a safe space for encountering very scary stimuli.

Sessions involve exposure to both the source and effects of trauma, but both imaginal and in vivo exposure are utilised with the pace dictated by the patient.

It involves a combination of:

• Imaginal exposure occurs in session with the patient describing the event in detail in the present tense with guidance from the therapist. Together, patient and therapist discuss and process the emotion raised by the imaginal exposure in session. The patient is recorded while describing the event so that she or he can listen to the recording between sessions, further process the emotions and practice the breathing techniques.
• In vivo exposure, that is confronting feared stimuli outside of therapy, is assigned as homework. The therapist and patient together identify a range of possible stimuli and situations connected to the traumatic fear, such as specific places or people. They agree on which stimuli to confront as part of in vivo exposure and devise a plan to do so between sessions. The patient is encouraged to challenge him or herself but to do so in a graduated fashion so as to experience some success in confronting feared stimuli and coping with the associated emotion.

Online Therapy Australia | Online Psychologists & Therapists Australia

Prolonged Exposure Therapy is strongly recommended for the treatment of PTSD by American Psychology Association. Dr Reza Nejad is a Certified Prolonged Exposure Therapist & supervisor/consultant from Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety, University of Pennsylvania, the USA. You can contact us on (08) 7079 9529 or email admin@sehatpsychology.com.au to book an appointment (telehealth or face to face) with our prolonged exposure psychologist.

Adelaide Psychologists & Therapists | Adelaide Psychology Clinic

PTSD therapy services are designed to provide specialised support for those who have experienced trauma. A compassionate and safe environment is offered to provide emotional and psychological support essential for healing. The focus is on assisting individuals in their recovery process from traumatic events, addressing both immediate and long-term impacts