OPENER
Traumatic memories keep us from taking part in everyday life. Our first reaction is to avoid anything related to that memory. This avoidance may help us cope in the moment but in the long run, avoidance makes the fear worse. Prolonged Exposure (PE) focuses on expanding our life activities by addressing our fears. The situations that cause fear are slowly introduced, starting with the small things. Through gradually “exposing” ourselves and sitting with these fears, we become more comfortable with them.
It’s kind of like watching a scary movie: The first time is scary, the third time not as much, the fifth time hardly at all, and by the tenth time we remember what happened and we aren’t fearful at all.
PE might be called remembering therapy because you continue to remember an event until it no longer triggers you. There are two types of “exposure” activities in PE:
TYPE 1: USES A MEMORY
The first technique focuses on a memory of a specific traumatic event. The event is described in detail as if it is happening in the moment. Then the feelings that come up are discussed in session with the therapist. Your story is audio recorded and outside the session you listen to this daily to start getting comfortable with the traumatic memory. You start small, and gradually address more difficult traumatic memories.
Type 2: USES A PHYSICAL PLACE OR SITUATION
The second technique focuses on situations that are connected to your traumatic fear (like a crowded store or a highway). This occurs outside of the therapist’s office. You start slow, and work with the therapist to create a plan to begin to confront these situations in between sessions.
Typically, PE lasts 3 months, and involves weekly sessions. The sessions are from 1-2 hours each with homework between sessions.