Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
What Is Prolonged Exposure Therapy?
Prolonged exposure therapy (PE) is an evidenced-based cognitive behavioral therapy method used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Numerous research studies show PE significantly reduces symptoms of PTSD and related depression, anxiety, and anger. This type of therapy focuses on teaching the patient to gradually approach memories, feelings, and situations that remind them of their trauma to increase comfort and reduce fear. With this gradual exposure, patients learn trauma-related cues and memories are not dangerous and don’t need avoiding.
How Does Prolonged Exposure Therapy Work?
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), prolonged exposure therapy is traditionally scheduled out over a period of 90 days with one session every week. These sessions can last anywhere from 60 to 120 minutes in length, so the patient can receive sufficient exposure to their triggers.
Therapists will use two different methods of exposure to assist patients in confronting their trauma. These are:
- Imaginal exposure: With guidance from the therapist, imaginal exposure has the patient describe the traumatic event in detail, as if they were currently immersed in the situation. The patient and therapist discuss and process the emotions raised by the exposure.
- In vivo exposure: In vivo exposure takes place outside of the therapist’s office. In this type of exposure, patients visit specific places or situations to challenge themselves to address their fears related to the trauma.
What Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Treat?
Anxiety
For many people, persistent worry about things in life creates anxiety. It could be fear or stress over work, relationships, health, or finances. By helping you break down your patterns of thinking and behaviors, CBT is very effective at reducing anxiety. It’s no wonder CBT is backed by multiple studies for treating anxiety and many other conditions.
Depression
Cognitive behavioral therapy has been proven to be effective for people struggling with mild to moderate depression. CBT can help you uncover your core beliefs about yourself, the world, and the future. It can also foster healthy behavior changes to improve your mood, outlook, and self-esteem.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety, also known as social phobia, is a particular type of anxiety disorder in which a person’s fear and distress is focused on the act of socializing with others. CBT can help reduce thoughts and feelings of social anxiety, leading to greater confidence in social interactions.
Panic Attacks
CBT can equip people with tools to manage panic attacks with less fear and distress. It can also help people who may have developed a phobia around a specific situation that is known to trigger panic attacks for them.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is an anxiety disorder characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. CBT, combined with exposure response prevention (ERP), is well suited to help disrupt the ruminations and compulsions often associated with OCD, resulting in healthier thoughts and behaviors.
Phobias
People with phobias often go out of their way to avoid situations that trigger fear, distress, or discomfort. CBT can help people explore other ways of dealing with their fears and provide tools to help with their phobias.
Job Stress & Burnout
Job stress is quite common, affecting approximately 83% of our workforce. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) formally recognized burnout as a diagnosable syndrome in 2019. Cognitive behavioral therapy, particularly CBT methods rooted in mindfulness, can help people who are struggling with job stress or other forms of burnout.
What Does Prolonged Exposure Therapy Help With?
There are several signs, symptoms, or scenarios that prolonged exposure therapy can help with.
- Trauma: The anxiety-provoking memories and feelings that come from the trauma can be reduced over time by gradual exposure.
- Stress: Stress can decrease PE through the creation of self-efficacy, which shows that you are capable of working through the trauma.
- Daily fear & anxiety: By habituating yourself to your fear or trauma, you can lessen the effects that it has on your daily life.
- Empowerment: Giving you the tools to confront trauma in your past can help you re-engage in the present and move toward the things you value in life.
What Is It Like to Do Prolonged Exposure Therapy?
Prolonged exposure therapy begins with you and your therapist establishing what it is that you will address in your sessions together. You may also discuss methods for addressing this trauma or fear and establish a comfort level so that you remain engaged and advancing in your therapy.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy at Behavioral Health of NY
1. Contact Our Office
In order to get started with your prolonged exposure therapy, you can give us a call or fill out our online form.
2. Speak with Dr. Levy
Dr. Levy meets with each new client for the initial consultation. The consultation will determine if prolonged exposure therapy is a good fit for you along with any other relevant therapy methods.
3. Fill Out Forms
We ask that you fill out the necessary forms in order to make sure that we have all your updated health information and other pertinent documents to get you the best treatment possible.
4. Start Your Sessions
BHNY will work with you to set up sessions at a convenient time for you so that your therapy will not disrupt your work week and ensure that you are able to attend all the necessary appointments.
Feel Better with Prolonged Exposure Therapy
If you’re suffering from PTSD, trying PE Therapy might be able to help you in a number of ways.
Find BHNY PE Therapy Near You
Serving NYC, Westchester, and Long Island
Frequently Asked Questions
How Effective Is Prolonged Exposure Therapy?
According to the Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, prolonged exposure therapy is an effective treatment for PTSD as it can reduce symptoms and reduce trauma related issues such as anger, guilt, and depression.