Understanding Trauma, PTSD, and Prolonged Exposure Therapy

Trauma, PTSD, and How Prolonged Exposure Therapy Can Help You Heal If you’ve been through something that changed you and you still feel stuck, you’re not broken, and you’re not alone. In this video, Dr. Sandy Capaldi from the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania explains: Trauma and PTSD How avoidance can keep PTSD symptoms going How Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) can help What PE looks like in practice - and what it doesn’t Why facing trauma, with support, leads to freedom rather than fear Many people believe PTSD means they’re weak, broken, or beyond help. In reality, PTSD is a very human response to overwhelming stress and it’s highly treatable. Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) is one of the most well‑researched and effective treatments for PTSD. PE isn’t about retraumatizing or forcing you to relive the past. It’s about helping you gently, safely, and collaboratively approach what’s been avoided so your brain can finally learn something new. People who complete PE often report: Fewer nightmares and intrusive memories Less anxiety and emotional distress Greater confidence and a renewed sense of control Feeling like themselves again—or even stronger than before Healing doesn’t mean erasing the past. It means reclaiming your life from it. If PTSD has been holding you back, you don’t have to walk this path alone. 👉 If this video resonates with you, consider talking with your provider about Prolonged Exposure Therapy. About the Speaker: Dr. Sandy Capaldi is a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and Director of the Prolonged Exposure for PTSD Initiative in Philadelphia. Her work focuses on improving access to evidence‑based trauma treatment and helping people reclaim their lives from PTSD.