TREATMENT
APPROACHES
PROLONGED EXPOSURE (PE)
Prolonged Exposure (PE) is a “cousin” of ERP and is employed effectively and compassionately in the treatment of trauma and PTSD. Through the process of re-engaging with triggering situations, memories, thoughts, and feelings, clients learn that they can tolerate unpleasant situations and intrusive thoughts without becoming distressed or overwhelmed. They learn that it is the very avoidance of unpleasant content that actually maintains their fears and distress. In the process, and by re-engaging with life, clients’ lives often become more satisfying and fulfilling.
EXPOSURE THERAPY FOR PHOBIAS AND GENERAL ANXIETY
Just as with ERP and PE, exposure therapy is focused on the “B” in CBT, and it has been shown to be effective in the treatment of specific phobias (animals, heights, blood, etc.) and for general anxiety disorder (GAD, anxiety about everyday things like finances, school, and work). Clients are compassionately and encouraged to slowly engage with feared and avoided stimuli so that they learn they can tolerate situations without becoming distressed or overwhelmed. With GAD, exposure therapy is often used in combination with ACT and CBT with the goal of changing one’s relationship with thoughts, as well as moving closer to a more satisfying life, even with fears and anxiety.
EYE-MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING (EMDR)
Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) shares some similarities with Prolonged Exposure, in that clients are asked to re-engage with often unpleasant memories. However, with EMDR, clients are asked to move their eyes in a specific and deliberate manner while they process their memories. While there is some question as to the underlying mechanism, EMDR has been shown to be an effective treatment for PTSD.