Implementing Imaginal Exposure: Revisiting the Trauma Memory
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
- Review the start and end points of the narrative with the patient before you start imaginal exposure.
- Remind the patient that once they go through the memory, you’ll ask them to start again.
- If the patient is doing fine, let them talk. Only interrupt for a SUDS rating.
- You can offer encouragement at that point.
- Asking “What’s happening now?” gets them back into the exposure.
