Prolonged Exposure Therapy
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy is a cognitive-behavioral treatment program for individuals suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The program consists of a course of individual therapy designed to help clients process traumatic events and thus reduce trauma-induced psychological disturbances. Twenty years of research has shown that PE Therapy significantly reduces the symptoms of PTSD, depression, anger, and general anxiety. PE Therapy has three components:
- Psychoeducation about common reactions to trauma and the cause of chronic posttrauma difficulties
- Imaginal exposure--repeated recounting of the traumatic memory (emotional reliving)
- In-vivo exposure--gradually approaching trauma reminders (e.g., situations, objects) that, despite posing no harm, are feared and avoided.
- Psychoeducation about common reactions to trauma and the cause of chronic posttrauma difficulties
- Imaginal exposure--repeated recounting of the traumatic memory (emotional reliving)
- In-vivo exposure--gradually approaching trauma reminders (e.g., situations, objects) that, despite posing no harm, are feared and avoided.
Goal / Mission
The goal of this program is to improve treatment outcomes for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Impact
PE Therapy is considered by expert consensus the treatment of choice for PTSD clients whose prominent symptoms include intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and trauma-related fear and avoidance. One study demonstrated that the treatment group showed significant improvement in PTSD symptoms and depressive symptoms at posttest, and these treatment effects were maintained at 6-month follow-up.
Results / Accomplishments
The effectiveness of PE Therapy has been established through many randomized control studies. It is by far the most studied treatment program for PTSD and has broad empirical support from studies of clients with PTSD resulting from various types of traumas. Further, PE Therapy is considered by expert consensus the treatment of choice for PTSD clients whose prominent symptoms include intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and trauma-related fear and avoidance. In the first published study of the program, it was found that the treatment group showed significant improvement in PTSD symptoms and depressive symptoms at posttest, while the control did not improve. These treatment effects were maintained at 6-month follow-up.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania
Primary Contact
Edna B. Foa, Ph.D.
Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety
University of Pennsylvania
3535 Market Street, 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 746-3327
foa@mail.med.upenn.edu
http://www.med.upenn.edu/ctsa/
Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety
University of Pennsylvania
3535 Market Street, 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 746-3327
foa@mail.med.upenn.edu
http://www.med.upenn.edu/ctsa/
Topics
Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders
Organization(s)
Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania
Source
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's Model Programs Guide (MPG)
Date of publication
1999
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