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Prolonged Exposure Therapy
If you’ve experienced trauma, you may find that certain memories, feelings, or situations can feel overwhelming. Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) is here to help. This powerful, evidence-based treatment allows you to gradually face those challenging memories in a safe, supportive way.
What is Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)?
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) is a structured, evidence-based treatment that helps individuals confront and process the emotional and psychological impacts of trauma. Whether dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or trauma-related disorders, PE offers an effective way to reduce distressing symptoms and regain a sense of control over one’s emotions and reactions.
This therapeutic approach helps individuals gain control over their reactions, providing lasting relief from PTSD, anxiety disorders, and other trauma-related symptoms. Our goal is to guide you toward healing and empower you to reclaim a sense of safety and confidence in your life.
How Does Prolonged Exposure Therapy Work?
PE is built on the concept of “exposure,” which means gradually and systematically facing the situations or memories that trigger fear and anxiety. In a safe and supportive environment, clients are encouraged to confront their trauma-related thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This gradual exposure helps individuals reduce avoidance behaviors and anxiety over time, leading to decreased emotional reactivity.
- Exposure to Memories: Clients are guided to recall and talk about their traumatic memories in detail, allowing them to process the emotions and beliefs tied to those experiences.
- In-Vivo Exposure: Clients may also be asked to confront real-life situations or triggers that they’ve been avoiding, such as places, people, or situations related to the trauma.
What to Expect During Prolonged Exposure Therapy
Each session focuses on a systematic, step-by-step process aimed at reducing the emotional intensity associated with trauma. Clients typically engage in:
- Gradual Exposure: A structured approach to facing trauma-related memories, starting with less distressing topics and gradually moving toward more difficult ones.
- Learning Coping Skills: Throughout the therapy, clients learn practical skills to manage their emotions, thoughts, and bodily reactions during exposure exercises.
- Ongoing Support: Our therapists work closely with clients to provide continuous support, guidance, and reinforcement as they process their trauma and regain control over their lives.
Benefits of Prolonged Exposure Therapy
PE is a clinically proven treatment that has helped countless individuals achieve lasting relief from PTSD and trauma-related disorders. Some of the benefits of PE therapy include:
- Reduced avoidance behaviors
- Decreased anxiety and fear associated with traumatic memories
- Enhanced emotional regulation and coping skills
- Increased resilience and confidence in handling trauma-related triggers
- Improved overall quality of life
How to Get Started
If you’re ready to start processing your trauma and begin your healing journey, our team is here to support you. Prolonged Exposure Therapy can help you regain a sense of control and allow you to live life more fully without the constraints of past trauma.
Contact us at Long Island DBT Group to learn more about Prolonged Exposure Therapy and how it can support your path to healing. Whether you’re looking to address trauma-related symptoms or simply want to learn more about your options, we’re here to help.