Prolonged Exposure (PE)

Gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for PTSD and trauma. Reclaim your life through expert-guided trauma processing with certified PE providers.

What is Prolonged Exposure?

An Evidence-Based Treatment for PTSD

Prolonged Exposure (PE) is a well-researched, evidence-based treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It helps reduce trauma-related symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance, and hypervigilance, supporting people in reconnecting with their lives more fully.

At Summit Psychotherapy Center, PE is provided by clinicians with advanced training and certification. Dr. Emily Livermore is a certified Prolonged Exposure provider and the center’s certified PE consultant, and Jasmine Dobbs-Marsh is also a certified PE provider. PE works by helping clients safely process traumatic memories and gradually approach avoided situations, reducing trauma’s impact over time. The goal is not to relive trauma, but to move forward with greater confidence and stability.

How Does Prolonged Exposure Work?

 The Science Behind PE

Processing Traumatic Memories

PE involves repeatedly revisiting the trauma memory in a safe, therapeutic environment. This process, called “imaginal exposure,” helps your brain process the memory in a new way, reducing its emotional intensity and allowing you to integrate the experience rather than feeling haunted by it.

Facing Avoided Situations

Trauma often leads to avoidance of people, places, or activities that remind you of what happened. PE includes “in vivo exposure”—gradually, systematically facing safe situations you’ve been avoiding. This helps you reclaim your life and learn that these situations are safe.

Learning New Information

Through exposure, your brain learns that remembering the experience itself isn’t dangerous, that you can tolerate distressing emotions, and that anxiety naturally decreases over time when you face rather than avoid. This new learning gradually replaces old fear-based patterns.

Reducing PTSD Symptoms

PE directly addresses all symptom clusters of PTSD: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative thoughts and mood, and hyperarousal. Research shows significant symptom reduction, often in 8-15 weekly sessions.
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Who is PE For?

Is Prolonged Exposure Right for You?

PE is appropriate if you:

Have been diagnosed with PTSD or have trauma-related symptoms

Experience intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks

Avoid reminders of the trauma

Feel stuck in the past or controlled by trauma memories

Are ready to actively engage in trauma processing

Can commit to weekly 90-minute sessions

Are willing to do homework between sessions

Want an evidence-based treatment with proven effectiveness

Want to take your life back from trauma
Note: PE may be modified or combined with DBT skills for those with emotion regulation difficulties (DBT-PE).

What to Expect in PE Treatment

The PE Treatment Process

PE typically follows a structured protocol over 8-15 weekly, 90-minute sessions:

Psychoeducation

Understanding PTSD, trauma reactions, and how PE works

In Vivo Exposure

Identifying avoidance patterns and facing avoiding situations to reclaim your life from trauma

Imaginal Exposure

Revisiting the trauma memory repeatedly in session with therapist guidance so you learn that you can tolerate difficult emotions and they decrease over time

Emotional Processing

Processing, organizing, and digesting the event to move it from “unfinished business” to “finished business” so you can move forward

Processing and Integration

Discussing what you’re learning and how it’s changing your relationship with the trauma.

Homework Practice

Listening to recordings of imaginal exposure and completing in vivo exercises

Therapist Support

Guidance and encouragement throughout the process

Relapse Prevention

Consolidating gains and planning for continued progress

Common Concerns About PE

Addressing Your Questions

"Will this make me worse?"

PE is hard work, but you can do it! Sometimes people experience a brief, temporary increase of symptoms. This is a natural and expected part of the healing process as you begin approaching the trauma that you have been avoiding. Research shows PE is safe and effective. Your therapist will ensure you’re ready and support you throughout.

"I don't want to relive the trauma"

PE isn’t about reliving trauma—it’s about remembering and processing the memory in a new, safe context. You’re in control, and your therapist guides you through it supportively.

"What if I can't handle it?"

It is common for people with PTSD to have a belief that “I cannot handle it”. We believe that you can! Your PE provider will assess your readiness and ensure you have adequate coping skills. For those with emotion regulation difficulties, we can provide DBT skills training first or integrate PE with DBT (DBT-PE).

"How is this different from just talking about it?"

PE involves structured, repeated engagement with the memory in specific ways that promote emotional processing and new learning. It’s very different from simply talking about trauma.

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Why Choose Summit for PE?

Certified PE Experts

Summit Psychotherapy Center offers exceptional PE expertise. Dr. Emily Livermore is both a certified PE provider and certified PE consultant—one of the highest levels of PE training. She provides PE treatment, trains other clinicians in PE, and stays current with the latest research and best practices.  Dr. Jasmine Dobbs-Marsh is a certified PE provider and Dr. Kayleigh Watters is a consultant-trained PE provider. Our team understands complex trauma presentations and can integrate PE with DBT for those who need additional emotion regulation support (DBT-PE or DBT-PTSD). We’re committed to delivering PE with fidelity to the protocol while also adapting sensitively to your individual needs.

Ready to Reclaim Your Life from Trauma?

Prolonged Exposure is one of the most powerful treatments available for PTSD. Our certified PE experts are here to guide you through this evidence-based treatment and help you take back your life.
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