Written Exposure Therapy For Trauma
We are excited to announce that all of our providers here at Exploration Counseling are now able to offer Written Exposure Therapy (WET) to our clients!
What is Written Exposure Therapy (WET)?
WET is a brief, five-session treatment for trauma and/or PTSD. Each session lasts approximately 50 minutes- similar to a regular therapy session. During each session your provider will give you instruction and then you will be asked to write about your trauma.
How is WET Different From Other PTSD Treatments?
Other PTSD treatments may require an extensive number of sessions (20+). Even though these may be effective treatments, research shows that people often drop out before completion. WET does not require a long-term commitment to therapy.
WET also does not require you to talk in detail about your trauma. Instead, you are asked to write about it. For many people, this is an easier way to address the specific details of the trauma (thoughts, feelings, events, etc) without creating a severely uncomfortable or scary bodily reaction.
For any trauma treatment to be effective the goal is to get you to be able to think about, write about, and/or talk about the traumatic event without a debilitating physical and emotional reaction. The reason trauma has such an impact is because when you think about the event, or are reminded of it, your body reacts as if it is happening again. In reality, it is not, but your body can’t differentiate what is real and what is a memory. When you can draw up the memories in a way that allows your body to remain calm, that is how you heal.
How Do The Sessions Work?
During the initial session, your provider will complete a thorough assessment and also provide education about PTSD and its effects on the mind and body. Each session you will be asked to write (yes, with a pencil and paper!) about your trauma in response to specific instructions and prompts given by your therapist. The writing lasts about 30 minutes. Your provider is available and accessible during that time, but you are given independent time to write. After 30 minutes, your provider will ask a few follow-up questions and assess for any levels of distress. You will then give your narrative to your provider and they will review it before your next session.
Is there any homework between sessions?
No. The only recommendation that will be given by your provider is to not try to avoid any thoughts that may come up about your trauma in between sessions. Remember, thoughts are just thoughts! They are not dangerous and can be allowed to pass through your mind like a cloud passing through the sky.
So, are you a good candidate for WET?
If you have experienced a trauma that is impacting your ability to live your life fully, then yes, you are a good candidate for WET. You may also be experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions and that is ok. WET has shown to be effective even when there are other issues not specific to the trauma being treated. Here are a few ways our providers are utilizing WET with their clients:
Birth trauma
Pregnancy or infant loss
Domestic violence
Sexual abuse
If you are interested in learning more about WET, check out this article from the National Center for PTSD.
Visit our provider page to Meet Our Team and see if working together might be a good fit for you!
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At Exploration Counseling, our mission is to positively impact individuals, families, and communities through counseling, consultation, and collaboration. We provide online individual and couples therapy throughout Colorado and Missouri, with an emphasis on perinatal mood, maternal mental health, and improving family connection. If you are struggling with pregnancy or postpartum mood concerns, anxiety, overwhelm, depression, body image concerns, or relational difficulties, we can help.
