DBT PROLONGED EXPOSURE

Prolonged exposure is used for the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder. It encompasses both exposure therapy and emotional processing methods of treatment. Exposure therapy is a treatment for anxiety disorders in which clients are helped to confront anxiety-evoking situations to overcome their fears. Emotional processing is used to help trauma survivors process the traumatic memory in order to diminish PTSD symptoms. Together, the treatment helps PTSD sufferers cope with their distress and reclaim their lives from fear. Prolonged exposure includes 3 essential components:

• PSYCHOEDUCATION: Clients receive education about common reactions to trauma. The rationale for prolonged exposure treatment is provided in the initial session, introducing the idea that avoidance of trauma memories actually maintains PTSD symptoms.
• IN VIVO EXPOSURE: In vivo exposure means confronting situations you avoid “in real life.” Exposure tasks are chosen with consideration of the client’s level of distress and capability for completing the assignment. In vivo exercises are assigned as homework for practice between sessions.
• IMAGINAL EXPOSURE: Imaginable exposure is conducted in the session. It is revisiting the trauma memory using imagery. It consists of the client visualizing and recounting the trauma memory for enhancing emotional processing of the event. The session is taped and the client is instructed to listen to the tape between sessions.

GOAL OF PE TREATMENT

The goal of in vivo and imaginal exposure is to help clients face the trauma memories and learn that the memory of the trauma is not the same as the trauma itself. They are able to experience trauma reminders without the associated fear and anxiety that reduces their level of functioning and restricts their quality of life.

WHO IS APPROPRIATE FOR PE?

Individuals with a diagnosis of PTSD who remember some aspect of the trauma event

Individuals with no imminent risk or life-threatening behaviors

STRUCTURE OF TREATMENT

PE usually consists of 10-15 weekly individual therapy sessions that are 90 minutes each. The number and duration of your PE sessions will be determined based on your clinical individual needs.

Symptoms of PTSD are quite common and often decrease over time. However, for some the symptoms persist and interfere with daily functioning. Prolonged exposure has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of PTSD symptoms. Further, prolonged exposure not only treats PTSD but has shown to reduce depression, anxiety, anger and guilt.