Understanding Prolonged Exposure Therapy

Prolonged Exposure Therapy
How It Helps You Heal From Trauma

 

When Avoiding the Pain Starts to Limit Your Life

 

What if the memories you avoid to feel safe, are also keeping you from feeling free? After experiencing a difficult or traumatic event it can be natural to avoid anything that can trigger those memories. This avoidance can provide temporary relief, but it can begin to interfere with different aspects of your life such as your relationships, daily activities, and having a sense of safety. Prolonged exposure therapy can help people face and come to terms with trauma-related memories or situations so they have less control over your life. 

 

What Is Prolonged Exposure Therapy?

 

Prolonged Exposure Therapy has its roots in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It is one of the common ways to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is different from Exposure and Response Therapy, in that you are focusing on recounting specific memories, rather than addressing a patterned, unhealthy behavior. 

Traumatic events in our lives can cause the brain to learn it needs to protect yourself. Ultimately, it prompts the body to respond in specific ways to avoid any future harm. Unfortunately, the brain can be trapped in an OVER reactive state that creates negative impacts on our life.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy is a gentle approach to helping the brain to be reexposed to trauma related content – the memories and feelings – in a safe, therapeutic setting. This helps the brain to relearn a new association that the reminders of the past do not necessarily you are in danger in the present. 

 

How Does Prolonged Exposure Therapy Work?

This therapy can be broken down into 4 phases of treatment. 

1. Understanding Your Trauma Responses

Clients learn how trauma can affect emotions, physical sensations, thoughts, and behaviors. They begin identifying the situations and reminders they have been avoiding.

2. Gradually Facing Avoided Situations

With the therapist’s guidance, clients gradually approach safe situations they have been avoiding because of trauma-related fear. This is called in vivo exposure.

3. Processing Trauma Memories

In imaginal exposure, clients revisit and describe the traumatic memory during sessions with their therapist. This is done in a structured, supported way, at a pace appropriate to the treatment.

4. Learning That Distress Can Change

Over time, clients have opportunities to learn that anxiety and distress can be tolerated, that reminders are not necessarily dangerous, and that they can regain a sense of control.

 

Who benefits from Prolonged Exposure Therapy?

 

Many people can benefit from PE. This therapy approach is proven to be significantly helpful to those who have experienced any level of trauma. It has been highly researched, and more information can be read on this at the US Department of Veteran’s Affairs website. If you struggle with any of the following symptoms it may be a good fit for you. 

• Distressing memories, nightmares, or flashbacks.
• Anxiety or intense fear related to trauma reminders.
• Avoidance of people, places, activities, or conversations associated with a traumatic event.
• Persistent feelings of danger, even when a person is currently safe.
• Difficulty reconnecting with relationships, work, hobbies, or everyday life after trauma.
  

Each individual is unique, and so the decision to use this type of treatment should be discussed with a licensed mental health provider who will assess your symptoms, circumstances, and clinical needs.

 

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Trauma Informed Therapy
Denver, NC • Concord, NC • Mooresville, NC

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What Are the Benefits of Prolonged Exposure Therapy

 

Engaging in Prolonged Exposure Therapy may sound intense or overwhelming, but it is a gradual process guided by a therapist who helps you build the ability to manage triggers and trauma reminders. We want to help you gradually return to activities and situations that matter to you. When you develop a different response to reminders of the past and build confidence in your ability to navigate difficult emotions you will certainly experience a benefit in your overall wellness. 

Over time, this process will help you improve daily functioning, strengthen relationships, and make it easier to reconnect with responsibilities and enjoyable activities. The desired outcome for you is to experience a greater sense of freedom by spending less time angsting in avoidance of being reminded of the past. 

As with any therapy approach, progress is not always linear. Healing takes time, and your therapist will work with you at a pace that supports your individual needs and goals. If you feel ready to take the next step toward healing, we invite you to connect with a therapist who can help you explore whether Prolonged Exposure Therapy is right for you. 

 

Does Prolonged Exposure Mean I Have to Relive My Trauma?

 

We already recognize that this process sounds scary. You have done a lot of work in avoidance, and so to step into the idea of ‘exposing’ yourself may be overwhelming. 

You should know….

• It is understandable to feel hesitant or afraid
• Clients learn skills and prepare for exposure exercises rather than being unexpectedly pushed into them.
• The therapist will partner with YOU throughout treatment. You will have a say in the speed at which you both progress through the exposure process. 

Reminder: Memories are not forgotten, this we know is true. But doing this work means you are choosing a future in which what happened no longer determines the everyday choices you make. 

 

You Don’t Have to Let Trauma Define Your Future

 

Human beings innately have the potential for growth. This growth is often underestimated in ourselves when we live through something traumatic and stressful. But change does happen. We see others grow and evolve every day. This can be your opportunity to take back control over your life, and to evolve into your next level of potential. 

At Miracles Counseling Centers, we believe healing begins with connection, understanding, and support that meets you where you are. You do not have to navigate the lasting effects of trauma alone. If fear, painful memories, or avoidance are keeping you from living the life you want, therapy can help you explore a path forward at a pace that respects your needs and experiences.

Reach out to our team to learn more about trauma-informed counseling and find out which treatment options may be right for you.