Prolonged Exposure (PE) is a first-line evidence-based treatment for PTSD. Typically, PTSD can be treated in 10-12 sessions. In PE, the focus is on:

1) Reducing avoidance of the trauma memories through imaginal exposure

2) Reducing avoidance of situations that are a reminder of the trauma through in vivo exposure

3) Changing distorted thoughts and beliefs about the trauma through post-exposure processing