Prolonged Exposure (PE)

Prolonged Exposure (PE) is an evidenced-based intervention proven effective for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PE was developed by Dr. Edna Foa in the 1980s (McLean & Foa, 2024), and is based in Emotional Processing Theory, which posits that PTSD symptoms arise as a result of cognitive and behavioral avoidance of trauma-related thoughts, reminders, activities and situations. PE helps the client interrupt and reverse this process by blocking cognitive and behavioral avoidance, introducing corrective information, and facilitating organization and processing of the trauma memory and associated thoughts and beliefs. This is accomplished through in vivo and imaginal exposure

Prolonged Exposure is typically provided over a period of about three months with weekly individual sessions (approx. 15 sessions), which are 90 minutes in length. Treatment begins with an overview of PE and gaining an understanding of the client’s past traumatic experiences. Therapists continue with psychoeducation and then teach a breathing technique to manage anxiety, followed by the exposure. Both imaginal and in vivo exposure are used with a pace dictated by the client.

Reference:

Foa, E. B., Hembree, E. A., Rothbaum, B. O., & Rauch, S.A.M. (2019). Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD. Emotional Processing of Traumatic Experiences, 2nd Ed. Therapist Guide. Oxford Press.

McLean, C.P., & Foa, E. B. (May 13, 2024). Reflecting on the State of he Science of Prolonged Exposure Therapy. Retrieved from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.