What is trauma?
Trauma refers to deeply distressing experiences that overwhelm a person’s ability to cope, leaving lasting emotional, psychological, or physical effects. It can stem from a single, devastating event—such as a traumatic birth, with or without the loss of a child—or from ongoing stress, like identity-based trauma related to race, gender, or LGBTQIA+ discrimination.
Other examples include medical trauma experienced by healthcare providers during emergencies, sexual violence, physical assault, natural disasters, combat, serious accidents, and exposure to extreme human suffering. These experiences can profoundly disrupt one’s sense of safety, stability, and well-being.
What is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a set of symptoms that can develop after experiencing trauma. These symptoms fall into four main categories:
- Intrusive symptoms – such as flashbacks, nightmares, and unwanted memories
- Avoidance – steering clear of reminders, places, or emotions linked to the trauma
- Negative changes in mood and thinking – including self-blame, guilt, detachment, or loss of interest
- Hyperarousal – such as irritability, sleep difficulties, and a heightened startle response
These symptoms can disrupt daily life and emotional well-being, but they are treatable with trauma-focused, evidence-based care. What is PTSD video
Does everyone who experiences trauma develop PTSD?
About 70% of adults experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. However, not everyone develops Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In the U.S., approximately 6% of the population will experience PTSD at some point.
Whether someone develops long-term effects like PTSD depends on many factors—including the type of trauma, access to institutional support after the event, how trauma disclosures are received, personal resilience, and the strength of their support systems.
What is PE (prolonged exposure) therapy?
PE is the most effective treatment for PTSD. It has been studied for over 40 years and is supported as a gold-standard treatment for PTSD in multiple clinical practice guidelines. What is PE video
What is accelerated PE therapy?
Accelerated Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy uses the same evidence-based approach as traditional PE—but delivered at a faster pace, with three or more sessions per week. This condensed format reduces the risk of dropout and often leads to faster symptom relief. Because the full course of therapy is completed in two to four weeks, clients can experience meaningful progress in a shorter timeframe.
What do clients say about their experience with PE therapy?
Clients who complete Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy often report significant relief and a renewed sense of control, though individual outcomes vary. These videos offer firsthand accounts and expert insights into the healing process. PE Client video
What can I expect therapy with Dr. Aosved to be like?
Therapy with me is both supportive and challenging. I show up as a cheerleader and a coach—encouraging clients to meet their recovery goals and celebrating their progress every step of the way. My approach is brief, focused, and goal-oriented, designed to help you feel better quickly and sustainably.
Clients have described me as warm, curious, helpful, collaborative, creative, flexible, focused, consistent, open, affirming, and transparent. I bring these qualities into every session, creating a space where growth feels possible and healing feels earned.
Hear my thoughts on therapy for PTSD with PE in season 1, episode 10 of “A therapist can’t say that” podcast.
How can I prepare for PE?
Focus on your why. Reflect on what you want to reclaim in your life—and how you’d like to thrive. To begin Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy, all you need is motivation, a private space for sessions, an internet-enabled device for telehealth, and a way to record your imaginal exposures.
Some clients choose to use the PE Coach smartphone application to support their PE therapy or purchase the PE therapy client workbook. These tools are optional—what matters most is your commitment to healing and your willingness to engage.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth uses secure digital tools—like video calls, phone calls, and messaging platforms—to deliver psychological services remotely. At Thrive Psychology, all psychotherapy sessions are virtual, allowing you to access care from the comfort of your home or any private space you choose.
Telehealth offers flexibility, convenience, and expanded access—especially for individuals who face barriers to in-person care. It’s a responsive, client-centered way to receive support while maintaining privacy and continuity.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, evidence-based approach that helps people understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It focuses on building practical skills to manage distress, shift unhelpful patterns, and support lasting change. CBT is collaborative and goal-oriented, and it’s proven effective for a wide range of concerns—including anxiety, depression, and trauma.
What does evidence-based treatment mean?
Evidence-based treatment refers to therapies that have been rigorously studied and shown to be effective through research and expert consensus. These approaches are grounded in science, not just tradition or anecdote.
To deepen your understanding of what makes a treatment “evidence-based,” watch this brief video explaining evidence-based treatment.
What is measurement-based care?
Measurement-based care in mental health uses structured tools and data to track symptoms, monitor progress, and evaluate treatment response. This approach helps guide clinical decisions in real time, allowing for personalized adjustments that improve outcomes. By integrating objective feedback into care, clinicians can deliver more responsive, effective, and client-centered treatment.
What are clinical practice guidelines?
Clinical practice guidelines are evidence-based recommendations developed by expert panels to help healthcare providers deliver consistent, effective care. They synthesize the best available research and clinical expertise to guide treatment decisions across diverse settings.
Why they matter:
- Improve patient outcomes by promoting treatments that work
- Enhance quality of care through standardized approaches
- Support clinical decision-making with clear, research-backed guidance
- Ensure consistency across providers, teams, and systems
PE is recommended as a frontline treatment for PTSD in all clinical practice guidelines for PTSD: American Psychological Association and VA/DoD.