Discover prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD in Kitchener-Waterloo. Our therapist offers in vivo exposure and trauma treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder.
Living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can make each day feel like a struggle. The fear, flashbacks, and constant avoidance can leave you feeling stuck and unsure how to move forward. At Upstream Counselling in Kitchener-Waterloo, we offer Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy, an evidence-based treatment for PTSD that helps you face painful memories in a safe environment with the steady support of a caring mental health professional.
Developed by Dr. Edna Foa, Dr. Elizabeth Hembree, Dr. Sheila Rauch, and Dr. Barbara Rothbaum, PE therapy uses practical tools like imaginal exposure, in vivo exercises, and breathing retraining to help you work through trauma and ease the fear connected to it. Backed by years of research and randomized controlled trials, it’s one of the most effective treatments for PTSD, helping people—including those with chronic PTSD or anxiety disorders—find real relief.
At Upstream Counselling, your PTSD treatment is paced around your comfort, whether through in-person or virtual sessions. With patience, understanding, and guidance, Prolonged Exposure Therapy can help you rebuild a sense of safety, regain confidence, and start feeling more like yourself again.
At Upstream Counselling, Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy offers a safe and structured way for people with PTSD to face trauma and begin to heal. This form of behavioural therapy helps trauma survivors process painful memories and emotions without fear, leading to real progress and relief.
In PE treatment, you work closely with a therapist guide to slowly face trauma reminders in a controlled setting. Each therapy session focuses on emotional processing and desensitization, helping you see that memories no longer have to control your life. Over time, your confidence grows, and fear starts to lose its power.
Prolonged exposure for PTSD is backed by decades of research and therapy, showing it as one of the most highly effective interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Several studies show that this approach helps veterans with PTSD and many others regain peace and stability after trauma.
Our mental health professionals use evidence-based methods like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and psychoeducation to explain how trauma affects both your mind and body. Understanding these physiological and emotional reactions helps you feel safer and more in control as you move through recovery.
Through practice and guidance, you’ll learn to confront situations or activities you may have avoided. This process reduces fear or anxiety, helps you feel more present in daily life, and rebuilds your sense of safety and strength after trauma.
Every PE therapy plan is tailored to your needs—whether you prefer in-person sessions, virtual options, or virtual reality exposure therapy. Our therapists also support those with co-occurring challenges like substance use or comorbid anxiety disorders, ensuring a compassionate and complete path to healing.
Recovering from posttraumatic stress disorder takes courage, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Upstream Counselling in Kitchener-Waterloo, we provide expert care, understanding, and guidance to help you regain control and peace through proven treatment of PTSD.
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Beginning therapy can feel daunting but the truth is you decide what (and when) to share. Our diverse team specializes in a range of issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and relationship issues. No matter your situation, we're here to support your journey to empowerment and mental wellness.
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Finding the right therapist is key to achieving your goals. Dip your toes into the therapy experience by booking a free consultation with one of our registered psychotherapists. These appointments are an opportunity to address your questions and explore your challenges, needs, and aspirations.
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To maximize the benefits of counselling it’s important you attend sessions consistently. When in session, we encourage you to lead the agenda. (Remember, this is YOUR therapy!) Between sessions, we hope you will strive to apply new insights, practice new skills, and develop new habits that support personal growth.
Are you looking for a proven and supportive way to heal from trauma-related experiences and regain a sense of calm and control?
At Upstream Counselling, our Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy offers a gentle and structured form of exposure-based therapy that helps people safely process painful memories while reducing fear and anxiety. This approach to psychotherapy focuses on helping you understand and manage your emotions so you can move forward with confidence and strength.
During each therapy session, your therapist will guide you step by step, helping you face memories or situations you’ve been avoiding. Using simple tools like workbooks and guided exercises, you’ll learn to balance emotional responses, prevent over-engagement, and rebuild trust in your ability to cope.
Developed through years of research and therapy, PE has been proven in randomized clinical trials to be one of the most effective treatments for PTSD. It has helped many people—including survivors of child abuse, combat, and other trauma—achieve clinically significant improvements in their daily lives.
Our experienced team combines evidence-based methods like EMDR, virtual reality technology, and careful clinical practice to make sure each treatment outcome is safe and effective. We also focus on preventing dropout and addressing challenges such as self-harm or avoidance, so your recovery stays steady and supported.
At Upstream Counselling in Kitchener-Waterloo, we understand that healing from trauma takes courage. Our compassionate therapists are here to guide you with care, helping you feel grounded and hopeful again.
If you’re ready to take that next step, we’ll work with you to retrieve your sense of peace, strength, and confidence through a process tailored to your needs. Together, we’ll create a safe path toward real and lasting recovery.
At Upstream Counselling, we want you to feel comfortable with the counselling process. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about talking to a therapist about this type of therapy.
Prolonged exposure therapy (PE) is a form of psychotherapy proven to help people recover from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It works by gently guiding individuals to face and process painful memories that they’ve been avoiding.
Exposure-based therapy: In PE, clients gradually confront trauma reminders—like thoughts, images, or situations—to reduce fear and anxiety responses over time.
Emotional processing: Talking about trauma in a safe space helps people make sense of what happened, lowering the emotional intensity and promoting healing.
Effectiveness of exposure therapy: Research from several centers for the treatment and study of anxiety shows that PE would lead to strong, lasting improvement in people with PTSD.
Therapist guidance: Sessions are carefully structured so clients don’t feel overwhelmed. A therapist provides steady support, helping them move at a safe and comfortable pace.
Treatment outcome: Clients often fill out short questionnaires to track progress, showing how symptoms change as treatment continues.
Each prolonged exposure therapy session is designed to help you feel safe and supported while you work through trauma-related fears.
Psychoeducation: The therapist begins by explaining how avoidance keeps PTSD symptoms strong, and how PE helps people process emotions through gradual exposure.
Imaginal exposure: Clients describe trauma memories out loud in a guided way. This helps them face painful details and reduce distress with practice.
In vivo exposure: The therapist helps clients face real-life reminders—such as certain places or situations—that cause fear or anxiety, one step at a time.
Monitoring progress: Short questionnaires or workbook exercises between sessions help track changes in emotion and confidence.
Therapist support: Each session is guided carefully to prevent over-engagement, ensuring the process feels safe, manageable, and healing.
Prolonged exposure therapy helps many people who have experienced trauma regain confidence and peace of mind.
Trauma survivors: Individuals recovering from experiences like assault, accidents, or child abuse can use PE to process painful memories and move forward.
Veterans and first responders: PE has been especially effective for veterans with PTSD and others exposed to ongoing trauma, helping them manage daily stress and emotional triggers.
Co-occurring conditions: People dealing with PTSD and anxiety disorders—or even substance use—often see better outcomes with PE treatment.
Research-based support: Health and human services organizations recognize PE as a safe, effective treatment that has been successfully shared across many clinical settings.
Recovery at your pace: Anyone struggling with avoidance or intense fear after trauma can benefit from PE’s structured, therapist-guided approach to emotional recovery.
Prolonged exposure therapy focuses directly on the root of trauma by helping people safely face the memories and feelings they’ve avoided.
Direct exposure approach: Unlike some cognitive therapies that emphasize thinking patterns, PE helps clients confront fear and anxiety through guided emotional experiences.
Strong research foundation: The effectiveness of exposure therapy is supported by years of research and dissemination through major centers for the treatment and study of anxiety.
Progress tracking: Clients often complete questionnaires to measure changes in mood and symptoms, ensuring the treatment outcome stays on track.
Clinical practice: PE is widely used in medical centers and mental health clinics due to its clear structure and proven results for trauma recovery.
Therapist-guided support: Each step is tailored to the person’s comfort level, ensuring steady progress without emotional overload.
Prolonged exposure therapy has been tested in numerous studies and is recognized as one of the most effective treatments for PTSD.
Evidence-based results: Research consistently shows that PE would significantly reduce PTSD symptoms and improve emotional well-being.
Clinical validation: Many centres for the treatment and study of anxiety continue to use PE as a leading approach for trauma-related recovery.
Measuring progress: Therapists use questionnaires and progress check-ins to make sure each session meets your needs and moves you toward healing.
Support from health organizations: Health and human services departments continue to promote PE through training and dissemination to reach more people with PTSD.
Lasting recovery: With consistent practice and therapist guidance, PE helps trauma survivors regain control, reduce fear, and experience meaningful emotional relief.
Our team at Upstream Counselling is here to help you explore issues, gain insights, begin your journey towards healing, and work towards the goals you identify during the counselling process.
Personalized therapy designed to address specific mental health issues while also nurturing personal growth and well-being.
A counselling program focusing on fostering effective communication, resolving conflicts, and nurturing healthy relationships.
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Disclaimer: Content on this website is for informational purposes only. Visiting this website does not establish any type of therapist-client relationship with Upstream Counselling or its staff. Information obtained from this site does not substitute for a thorough medical and/or psychiatric evaluation by an appropriately credentialed and licensed professional.
