Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD

Prolonged Exposure Therapy is an effective, highly flexible, and very well researched intervention to reduce the symptoms of PTSD across a variety of traumatized populations. The second edition of Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD: Emotional Processing of Traumatic Experiences, Therapist Guide, along with the accompanying Workbook, provides all of the tools necessary for trained mental health providers to implement this first-line PTSD treatment with their patients. This model is individualized to address the needs of a variety of trauma survivors. Leaders in clinical practice, training, and research in the field of PTSD treatment, the authors have revised the Guide throughout to reflect the many advances in PTSD research that have occurred since the release of the first edition, including key adjustments to the underlying theory as well as additional evidence for modifications and individualization for more complex patient presentations and military populations. The Guide provides a concise but thorough description of the key components of the program, how to implement them, and when and how to consider adaptations.

Edna B. Foa, PhD, is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania and Director of the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety in the Perelman School of Medicine, at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Foa has devoted her academic career to studying the psychopathology and treatment of anxiety and related disorders, primarily Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The treatment program she developed for PTSD has received the highest evidence for its efficacy and has been widely disseminated in the US and around the world.

Elizabeth A. Hembree, PhD, is Associate Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Hembree's clinical work and research have been primarily focused on anxiety disorders and on the psychological impact of trauma, the treatment of individuals with trauma-related disorders, and the dissemination of cognitive behavioral treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Barbara Olasov Rothbaum, PhD, ABPP is a Professor in Psychiatry and Associate Vice Chair of Clinical Research at the Emory School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and director of the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program and the Trauma and Anxiety Recovery Program at Emory; she also holds the Paul A. Janssen Chair in Neuropsychopharmacology. Dr. Rothbaum specializes in research on the treatment of individuals with anxiety disorders, particularly focusing on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Sheila A.M. Rauch, PhD, ABPP, is Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Emory University School of Medicine. She serves as Clinical Director of the Emory University Veterans Program and Director of Mental Health Research and Program Evaluation at the VA Atlanta Healthcare System. Dr. Rauch has been conducting research on and providing treatment for PTSD and anxiety disorders for over 20 years, and has been training providers in PTSD treatment since 2000.

Chapter 1
Foundations of Prolonged Exposure

Chapter 2
Assessing Trauma Survivors and Implementing PE in Practice

Chapter 3
Session 1

Chapter 4
Session 2

Chapter 5
Session 3

Chapter 6
Intermediate Sessions

Chapter 7
Final Session

Chapter 8
Tailoring Treatment to the Individual: Promoting Effective Engagement

Appendix A
Trauma Interview

Appendix B
In Vivo Exposure Hierarchy

Appendix C
Therapist Imaginal Exposure Recording Form

Appendix D
Prolonged Exposure Treatment Session Checklists (for Therapist Use)