I was terrified of therapy. I’d heard it was a waste of time, a place for the weak. I was determined to prove them wrong. The first session was a whirlwind. Dr. M. asked me about my childhood, my family, my relationships, my work, and my dreams. She was a master of her craft, asking insightful questions that made me think about my life in a new way. She didn’t judge me, didn’t offer solutions, and didn’t try to force me to talk. She simply listened.

I tell her about the man who followed me, the man who grabbed me, the man who threatened me. I tell her everything. I felt a sense of relief, a sense of release, as I spoke. The details, the memories, the emotions, all came flooding back. It felt like a weight had been lifted. Dr. M. listened intently, nodding occasionally. She didn’t interrupt, didn’t offer unsolicited advice, and didn’t try to minimize my experience. She simply listened.

What could I possibly tell her about that? “I grew up in a small town,” I said, my voice cracking a little. “It wasn’t a bad town,” I added, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “We had a lot of fun.” “Fun?” Dr. M’s eyebrows arched.

These experiences left me with deep-seated trauma and distrust of authority figures. I was skeptical of therapy, but I was desperate. I was in a bad relationship, struggling with anxiety and depression, and felt like I was drowning. I needed help, and I was willing to try anything. The therapist I chose was a woman named Dr. Sarah. She was warm, empathetic, and listened without judgment.

Prolonged exposure therapy involves gradually exposing the patient to the feared stimuli, starting with the least anxiety-provoking version and working up to the most anxiety-provoking version. This process, while challenging, can be incredibly effective in reducing anxiety and fear associated with the trauma. The author’s experience with PTSD and their subsequent research into the treatment options led them to believe that the condition was treatable and that short-term treatments, particularly prolonged exposure therapy, could be highly effective.

* **Accessibility:** Short-term, evidence-based therapies are often difficult to access, especially for veterans seeking care at the VA. * **Economic Factors:** The financial incentives for therapists to offer short-term, evidence-based therapies are often less lucrative than billing private insurance indefinitely.

This is in contrast to traditional therapy, which often requires months or even years of commitment. Traditional therapy can be effective, but it’s not always accessible or affordable. For example, imagine a person with social anxiety who struggles to leave their house. They might spend years in therapy, learning coping mechanisms and gradually facing their fears.

You need to forgive them.” This statement, while well-intentioned, felt like a slap in the face. I was not mad at the world; I was hurt, and I needed to process that hurt. Forgiveness, in my case, felt like a betrayal of my own pain. The study involved a series of sessions where I would be exposed to a variety of stimuli, including images, sounds, and even smells, designed to trigger memories and emotions. The goal was to help me process and understand my past trauma. The study was based on the idea that by confronting my trauma in a controlled environment, I could eventually heal and move forward. The study was a success.