PE for PTSD Session 3: Agenda and First Imaginal Exposure
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
- Set the agenda for the patient at the beginning of session 3.
- Review the homework completed.
- Leave enough time for imaginal exposure.
- Present the rationale and allow questions.
- Conduct the first imaginal exposure.
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Transcript
In session 3, the outline, homework review, and agenda setting.
The outline for session 3 includes reviewing the homework, presenting the agenda for the session, presenting the rationale for imaginal exposure, conducting imaginal exposure, processing imaginal exposure, and assigning homework.
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. Rothbaum, B. O., Foa, E., Hembree, E. A., & Rauch, S. (2019). Reclaiming your life from a traumatic experience: Client workbook (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
The homework review should last about 10 to 15 minutes. You want to review the preceding week’s homework with the patient. You should spend a good amount of time reviewing the in vivo exposure homework and you can look at the handout, the in vivo exposure homework reporting form, with the patient and scan for any patterns of change in the SUDS or Subjective Units of Discomfort or Distress Scale for any evidence of a reduction of distress. If there were any problems, get more information and problem solve with the patient. Offer a lot of praise for the patient’s efforts. I am like a cheerleader when doing exposure therapy.
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. Rothbaum, B. O., Foa, E., Hembree, E. A., & Rauch, S. (2019). Reclaiming your life from a traumatic experience: Client workbook (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.