Imaginal Exposure Homework: Guiding Patients
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
- Homework includes the same practices as for prior sessions.
- Encourage patients to take back their lives from PTSD, in a therapeutic manner.
- Patients should be moving up the hierarchy for in vivo exposure and also engaging in behavioral activation activities.
- The more they engage in imaginal exposure for homework, the faster they’ll see change.
Materials Downloads
PE for PTSD Online Training
Learn how to apply prolonged exposure therapy principles for patients with PTSD.
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Transcript
Video 5, Intermediate Sessions, Homework.
We really want to encourage patients to be pushing themselves and eating, breathing, and sleeping exposure at this point. Just as we’re encouraging no stone left unturned in their imaginal exposures in the therapy session, we want to encourage this in their day-to-day lives outside of the therapy session.
Foa, E., Hembree, E. A., Rothbaum, B. O., & Rauch, S. (2019). Prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD: Emotional processing of traumatic experiences - Therapist guide (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
This is where they’ll be learning and adapting new habits. This is where they’re going to encounter their triggers. Ideally, they should’ve adapted the exposure approach and be looking for ways that they can engage.
Foa, E., Hembree, E. A., Rothbaum, B. O., & Rauch, S. (2019). Prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD: Emotional processing of traumatic experiences - Therapist guide (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.