When reminders of what happened keep shaping your days, moving forward can feel difficult. Prolonged exposure therapy can help you reduce distress, approach situations you’ve been avoiding, and reconnect with the life you want to live.
You might plan your day around avoiding reminders, feel on edge even when you’re safe, or pull away from people and activities you used to enjoy.
We take the time to understand what you’re experiencing and what you want to get back to. Together, we can explore whether prolonged exposure is a good fit.
PE is most commonly used to treat PTSD, but it can also be effective for individuals dealing with:
You talk through a trauma memory in session and explore your reactions with your therapist. This is called imaginal exposure.
You gradually practice approaching safe places and activities that trauma-related fear has led you to avoid. This is called in vivo exposure.
Work toward memories and triggers feeling less overwhelming.
Return to safe activities and places you have been missing.
Build trust in your ability to experience difficult emotions and keep moving toward what matters.
PE typically involves 8–15 weekly sessions lasting 60–90 minutes, with practice between appointments. Your therapist will explain the process and discuss the commitment with you.
Talking about trauma can be challenging. You can ask questions, share concerns, and make an informed decision about treatment. Exposure exercises focus on memories and objectively safe situations.
Learn how avoidance affects PTSD and identify safe situations to approach gradually.
Work with trauma memories in sessions and complete planned exercises between visits.
Notice changes in symptoms and daily life, and discuss how to carry your learning forward.
If trauma reminders are keeping you from the places, people, or activities that matter to you, we’re here to help. Reach out to ask about prolonged exposure therapy and getting started at UCPS.
Prolonged exposure (PE) is an evidence-based therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It helps you gradually approach trauma-related memories, emotions, and safe situations you have been avoiding. The goal is to reduce the hold trauma has on your life so you can participate more fully in the activities and relationships that matter to you.
Avoiding reminders of trauma can bring short-term relief while keeping fear and distress going over time. Prolonged exposure helps you practice responding differently to those reminders. Through repeated, supported practice, you can learn that remembering a traumatic experience is different from being in danger now.
Your therapist explains how PTSD and avoidance work and helps you understand the treatment process. Treatment includes talking through a trauma memory in session and gradually approaching safe situations you have avoided. You and your therapist also review your reactions, discuss what you are learning, and plan practice between appointments.
Yes. Talking through a trauma memory is a central part of prolonged exposure therapy. Your therapist will explain the purpose of this work and support you throughout the process. It is understandable to feel hesitant, and you can discuss your concerns before deciding whether PE is the right treatment for you.
Discussing trauma and approaching reminders can temporarily increase distress. However, your provider will work with you to establish coping skills prior to discussing your trauma history. Your therapist will help you understand these reactions and monitor how treatment is affecting you. Although the work can be emotionally challenging, PE is designed to reduce PTSD symptoms over time and help you feel more able to handle trauma reminders.
Prolonged exposure typically involves 8–15 weekly sessions lasting approximately 60–90 minutes each. Your treatment length may vary depending on your needs and progress. Your therapist will discuss the schedule and expectations with you before treatment begins.
Yes. Practice between sessions is an important part of PE. Assignments may include listening to a recording of your trauma narrative and approaching safe activities or situations you have been avoiding. Your therapist helps you choose specific exercises that connect with your treatment goals.
Prolonged exposure is one of the most strongly recommended treatments for PTSD. Research supports its ability to reduce PTSD symptoms across different trauma experiences. Individual results vary, but treatment can help trauma memories feel less overwhelming and make it easier to return to everyday life.
Prolonged exposure (PE), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are all evidence-based treatments for PTSD. They differ in how they help you work through trauma:
PE helps you gradually approach trauma memories and safe situations you have been avoiding.
CPT helps you examine and change trauma-related beliefs, including self-blame and beliefs about safety, trust, and control.
EMDR helps you process trauma memories while using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements.
All three can reduce PTSD symptoms. Your therapist can help you choose an approach based on your needs, treatment goals, and preferences.
Contact Utah Center for Psychological Services to ask about prolonged exposure therapy and current clinician availability. Share a little about the concerns bringing you to treatment and what you hope will change. An initial appointment can help clarify your symptoms, discuss your goals, and determine whether prolonged exposure is an appropriate fit.
