Prolonged Exposure (PE)

Prolonged Exposure (PE) is a specific type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that teaches clients to gradually approach trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations that are avoided because of trauma. Most people want to avoid anything that reminds them of the trauma they experienced but doing so may reinforce the fear response. By facing what has been avoided, a person can decrease symptoms of PTSD through actively learning that trauma-related memories and cues are not dangerous and do not need to be avoided. Individuals work with their therapist in a safe, graduated fashion to face stimuli and situations that evoke fear and remind them of the trauma to increase their comfort and reduce their fear.