What Does Research Say About Prolonged Exposure for PTSD?
Prolonged Exposure, or PE, is one of the most extensively studied treatments for PTSD. It works by helping people gradually approach trauma memories and safe situations they have been avoiding. The research supporting PE is strong—but the contemporary understanding of why it works is more sophisticated than simply “keep facing something until the anxiety goes away.”
Can EMDR Help After Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault can remain emotionally and physically present long after the event itself. EMDR is one of the trauma-focused psychotherapies strongly recommended for PTSD and may help survivors process distressing memories, body responses, shame, fear, and trauma-related beliefs without requiring repeated detailed retelling of everything that happened.
What Does Research Say About CPT for PTSD?
Cognitive Processing Therapy, or CPT, is one of the most established treatments for PTSD. Research supports its effectiveness across many trauma populations, especially when trauma-related beliefs about safety, trust, power, esteem, responsibility, or intimacy remain stuck. CPT takes a different route than EMDR or ART, but it is firmly within the evidence-based trauma-treatment landscape.
What Does Research Say About EMDR for Trauma?
EMDR has a substantial evidence base for PTSD and is recommended by major clinical guidelines. But “EMDR works” and “we know exactly why EMDR works” are two different claims. The treatment evidence is considerably stronger than the evidence for any single proposed mechanism.
Is ART Therapy Evidence-Based?
Accelerated Resolution Therapy, or ART, has an emerging research base, especially for symptoms of PTSD. Current studies suggest ART may be promising and time-efficient for some clients, but the evidence is still developing. Here is what clients, therapists, and referral sources should know.