Prolonged Exposure (PE)
A structured, exposure-based trauma therapy delivered by trained clinicians, focused on reducing avoidance of trauma-related memories and situations.
Prolonged Exposure (PE), developed by Edna Foa, is a structured, evidence-based treatment for PTSD built on the idea that avoidance, of memories, feelings, places, or situations connected to a trauma, is what keeps trauma-related distress alive. Treatment involves two main components: imaginal exposure, repeatedly and deliberately recounting the traumatic memory in detail in session, and in vivo exposure, gradually approaching real-world situations that have been avoided since the trauma. It's one of the most researched PTSD treatments available and must be delivered by a specifically trained clinician, given the intensity of direct engagement with traumatic material.
A structured trauma therapy that works by gradually reducing avoidance, not by adding more coping strategies.
What to expect: PE typically runs 8 to 15 sessions and includes both imaginal exposure (recounting the traumatic memory aloud, repeatedly, in session) and homework involving real-world exposure to avoided situations, done gradually and collaboratively planned with your therapist. This is intensive work, expect it to be emotionally demanding, particularly in the earlier sessions, though most people find the intensity decreases as avoidance itself decreases.
Good fit for: You're ready to directly engage with trauma-related memories with clinical support, You notice significant avoidance patterns limiting your life since the trauma, You want a structured, well-researched, time-limited approach
Explore for: PTSD with significant avoidance of trauma-related memories, places, or situations, Wanting a structured, well-researched, time-limited treatment, Readiness to directly engage with difficult trauma-related material with clinical support, Avoidance patterns that have significantly narrowed your life
Not the right fit if: You're not yet ready to directly engage with detailed trauma recounting, You have significant current instability that needs to be stabilized first
How to choose a practitioner: Confirm specific PE training, often through the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety or equivalent certified training Ask how they'll pace exposure work and check in about your readiness throughout Clarify what a typical course of treatment looks like and how progress is tracked
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