Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Adolescents (PE-A)
Problems addressed
Post-traumatic stress
Effectiveness

Effective

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Effective

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Life periods served
Teenagers (14 to 17 years)
Where the program was applied
Community (streets or community centers)
Ambulatory - Health service centers
Country of application
United States
Israel
Description

This is a therapeutic treatment program for adolescents suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Psychoeducation strategies on common reactions to trauma are used, as well as breathing reeducation exercises.
Participants are encouraged to repeatedly approach the situations or activities they are avoiding because they remind them of their trauma (in vivo exposure), as well as to relive the traumatic memory several times through imaginary exposure. Through these procedures, adolescents learn that they can safely recall the trauma, that the distress that initially results from facing these memories diminishes over time, and that they are able to tolerate such emotions.

Impact evaluations

Different impact evaluation studies show statistically significant results in the reduction of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression, and improved general functioning. Treatment benefits were maintained after 6 and 17 months of follow-up [1] [2] [3] [4].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Gilboa-Schechtman, E., Foa, E. B., Shafran, N., Aderka, I. M., Powers, M. B., Rachamim, L., Rosenbach, L., Yadin, E. & Apter, A. (2010). Prolonged exposure versus dynamic therapy for adolescent PTSD: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 49(10), 1034–1042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2010.07.014

[2] Aderka, I. M., Foa, E. B., Applebaum, E., Shafran, N. & Gilboa-Schechtman, E. (2011). Direction of influence between posttraumatic and depressive symptoms during prolonged exposure therapy among children and adolescents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 79(3), 421–425. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0023318

[3] Aderka, I. M., Appelbaum-Namdar, E., Shafran, N. & Gilboa-Schechtman, E. (2011). Sudden gains in prolonged exposure for children and adolescents with posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 79(4), 441–446. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024112

[4] Foa, E. B., McLean, C. P., Capaldi, S. & Rosenfield, D. (2013). Prolonged exposure vs supportive counseling for sexual abuse-related PTSD in adolescent girls: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA, 310(24), 2650–2657. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2013.282829

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