At Cohen Veterans Network (CVN), we’re dedicated to improving the lives of veterans, service members, and their families. Our evidence-based practices utilize proven treatments guided by the latest research.
What is PE?
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) is a specialized treatment designed to address symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by helping individuals gradually confront trauma memories and situations they avoid. It is considered a “Gold Standard” treatment, meaning that it has the highest level of research evidence to support its use.
What Does PE Help?
Prolonged Exposure Therapy is an effective treatment for PTSD. Individuals with many different types of traumas have experienced positive results with PE. This includes traumas related to combat, sexual assault, childhood abuse, natural disasters, and accidents.
How Does PE Work?
PE works towards processing painful memories in a safe and supportive environment. It also allows participants to rejoin activities they have been avoiding because of the trauma.
Counseling Sessions Focus On:
- Learning about symptoms of PTSD
- Learning breathing techniques to manage distress
- Imaginal exposure: Repeatedly revisiting the traumatic memory in a safe environment, describing the event aloud in detail
- In vivo exposure: Repeatedly engaging in activities, situations, or behaviors that have been avoided since the trauma, but are not normally dangerous.
Goals of PE
- Reengaging with people, places, activities, and thoughts you have been avoiding
- Improving your feelings of safety, competence, and well-being
- Developing healthier and more realistic ways of seeing the world
- Changing unhealthy, unhelpful behavioral patterns
Duration of Treatment
PE typically lasts 8-15 sessions. The exact length of time is determined based on client needs. Each session is approximately 90 minutes in length. Sessions may occur once or twice per week.
Learn More
If you’d like to learn more about care for veterans, service members, or military families at CVN, visit our Client Education Center or contact a Cohen Clinic near you.