Four Wings Psychology - Prolonged Exposure Therapy in Nepean

Evidence-Based Trauma Therapy to Help You Face Fear and Reclaim Your Life

Are you avoiding people, places, or memories that remind you of something traumatic? Do you feel trapped by fear, flashbacks, or emotional numbness - even when you know you’re physically safe? Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy helps you gradually face what feels unbearable, so your mind and body can begin to heal.

At Four Wings Psychology, we offer PE therapy in Nepean and virtually across Ontario. Our trauma-trained clinicians use this powerful, research-backed method to support clients in reducing PTSD symptoms, regaining confidence, and reconnecting with life.

What Is Prolonged Exposure Therapy?

Prolonged Exposure is a structured, cognitive-behavioural therapy developed specifically for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It’s based on the idea that avoidance, although understandable, keeps trauma symptoms going. By safely confronting trauma-related memories and triggers, your brain learns that you’re not in danger anymore.

PE therapy helps you:

Gradually revisit traumatic memories in a safe, supported way
Reduce anxiety, fear, and avoidance linked to trauma
Learn that distress naturally decreases over time
Reconnect with people, activities, or places you’ve been avoiding
Rebuild trust in your ability to cope

It’s not about re-traumatizing you. It’s about helping your nervous system unlearn the fear that keeps you stuck.

What Can PE Therapy Help With?

PE is a first-line treatment for PTSD and trauma-related disorders, and is especially effective when symptoms involve high levels of avoidance and hyperarousal.

PE can help with:

PTSD from sexual assault, combat, accidents, or violence
Childhood or developmental trauma
Complex PTSD when combined with other therapies
Flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts
Panic and intense fear linked to past events
Social withdrawal or emotional numbness
Avoidance of people, places, or conversations

PE is most effective when you’re ready to work on trauma directly. Our therapists will ensure the pace feels safe and manageable.

What to Expect in PE Therapy at Four Wings

PE therapy is typically delivered over 8–15 sessions, with each session lasting 60–90 minutes. It follows a structured approach, but always with flexibility and sensitivity to your readiness.

In PE therapy, you’ll work on:

Psychoeducation about trauma and how avoidance maintains symptoms
Imaginal exposure: describing the traumatic memory in detail during sessions
In vivo exposure: gradually approaching safe situations you’ve been avoiding
Processing: reflecting on the experience and learning from it
Between-session practice to help generalize progress to daily life

Your therapist will never push you to do anything you’re not ready for. PE is challenging, but it’s also deeply empowering.

Why Choose Four Wings Psychology for PE Therapy?

Clinicians trained in Prolonged Exposure and other trauma-focused therapies
A supportive, collaborative, and non-judgmental approach
Flexible integration with emotion-focused, mindfulness, or compassion-based therapies
LGBTQ2S+ affirming and culturally sensitive care
In-person trauma therapy in Nepean and virtual options across Ontario

We understand that facing trauma takes courage, and we’ll walk with you every step of the way.

Ready to Stop Avoiding and Start Healing?

Trauma tells you to stay small, stay safe, and stay hidden. Healing means stepping back into your life. Prolonged Exposure therapy offers a clear, structured path to help you feel more present, connected, and free from the grip of the past.

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Prolonged Exposure