Handling Emotional Over-Engagement in PE Therapy for PTSD: Tips for Therapists
Associate Vice-Chair of Clinical Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
Director, Emory Healthcare Veterans Program
Director, Emory Trauma and Anxiety Recovery Program
Paul A. Janssen Chair in Neuropsychopharmacology
Key Points
- True over-engagement is very rare.
- High distress isn’t over-engagement.
- With over-engagement, they’re not learning what they need to learn.
- Techniques for reducing over-engagement include:
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- Using the past tense,
- Keeping their eyes open, and
- The increased use of empathic grounding statements.
Materials Downloads
PE for PTSD Online Training
Learn how to apply prolonged exposure therapy principles for patients with PTSD.
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