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PTSD & Prolonged Exposure Therapy
When the Effects of Trauma Continue After the Experience Has Ended
After a traumatic experience, it is understandable for the mind and body to remain alert to possible danger. For some people, trauma-related symptoms continue and begin interfering with relationships, work, sleep, concentration, or everyday activities. PTSD can involve intrusive memories, avoidance, changes in thoughts or emotions, and increased physiological arousal or reactivity.
Effective treatment is available.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
Prolonged Exposure (PE) is a structured, trauma-focused psychotherapy developed specifically for PTSD. The 2023 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline recommends PE among the individual trauma-focused psychotherapies for PTSD.
PE is based on a straightforward principle: after traumatic events, avoiding reminders of what happened can be understandable and protective in the short term, but persistent avoidance can make it difficult to recognize when situations are safe again.
Treatment helps you gradually approach trauma-related memories, emotions, and situations that have become difficult to face.
Patterns That Can Keep Symptoms Going
These are common responses to traumatic events rather than a checklist, and they can appear in other conditions as well. Assessment can help clarify what is happening for you.
- Avoiding places, people, conversations, or activities connected to traumatic events.
- Pushing away memories, images, or emotions when they arise.
- Staying highly alert for danger, which can make ordinary situations feel unsafe.
- Withdrawing from relationships, work, or activities that once mattered.
- Reviewing what happened in an attempt to make sense of it or assign blame.
What Treatment Is Like
PE is structured, but treatment is also collaborative.
Before beginning exposure work, we spend time understanding your symptoms, discussing how PTSD and avoidance work, identifying your treatment goals, and preparing you for the process.
Treatment may include gradually returning to safe situations you have been avoiding and working with memories of the traumatic experience within therapy.
You remain an active participant throughout the process. We discuss the rationale for treatment, review your experiences together, and determine appropriate next steps.
Treatment Is Not About Forgetting
The goal of PE is not to erase the traumatic experience or pretend that what happened was acceptable.
The experience remains part of your history.
Treatment focuses on helping the memory become less disruptive in the present so that reminders of what happened have less power over your choices, relationships, and daily life.
Reconnecting With Your Life
Trauma can gradually make life smaller.
Places are avoided. Activities stop. Relationships may become harder. A great deal of energy can go toward preventing reminders or managing distress.
Treatment creates opportunities to begin reclaiming those areas of life at a thoughtful, individualized pace.
If trauma-related symptoms are interfering with your life and you would like to learn whether PE may be appropriate, we can begin with a brief consultation. There is no obligation to begin treatment.
What Treatment With Me Looks Like
The first two sessions are dedicated to assessment. I take time to understand your symptoms, how traumatic events are affecting your daily life, what you may be avoiding, what you have tried before, and what you would like to change.
Treatment begins with education about PTSD and about how avoidance can maintain symptoms over time. Together, we develop treatment goals and determine how to approach Prolonged Exposure in a structured and collaborative way.
Treatment may include gradually returning to safe situations you have been avoiding, and working with memories of the traumatic events during sessions. Nothing is introduced without discussing it first.
I will explain what we are working on, why it may be helpful, and how it connects to your goals. We review your experiences, progress, and goals together and adjust the plan when clinically appropriate.
10 minutes · Free · No obligation · English or Spanish
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. It is not intended to diagnose any condition. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need immediate assistance, call or text 988, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room.
Common questions
Will I have to describe everything that happened?
Before beginning exposure work, we spend time understanding your symptoms, discussing how PTSD and avoidance work, identifying your treatment goals, and preparing you for the process. You remain an active participant throughout.
Is the goal to forget what happened?
No. The goal of PE is not to erase the traumatic experience. Treatment focuses on helping the memory become less disruptive in the present.
How long does Prolonged Exposure take?
Treatment length varies based on symptoms, goals, severity, session frequency, practice between sessions, and response to treatment. We review progress throughout treatment and discuss recommendations as therapy progresses.
Can PTSD and OCD occur together?
Symptoms can overlap, and assessment helps clarify what you are experiencing and which treatment approach is most appropriate.
Is treatment available in Spanish?
Yes. Assessment, treatment, clinical materials, and communication are all available in Spanish as well as English.
Related educational resources
Wondering Whether We May Be a Good Fit?
A free 10-minute consultation gives you an opportunity to briefly share what you are looking for, ask questions, and learn more about how I work. Together, we can determine whether moving forward with an assessment makes sense for you.
10 minutes · Free · No obligation · English or Spanish
You’ll speak directly with me. I personally respond to messages within one business day.