Repeatedly recounting a traumatic event in detail is necessary to progressively reduce the physiological amplitude of the fear response.

“Every clinician I spoke to in anticipation of this episode said the exact same thing, which is that a detailed recounting of the traumatic and fearful events is absolutely essential in order to get the positive effects of prolonged exposure, cognitive processing, and cognitive behavioral therapy.”

Alex believes that trauma forces individuals out of their comfort zones and creates an opportunity for growth and personal transformation.

“I think that in a lot of ways, things happen to us to teach us things and we learn from it and we grow from it. Not that anything tragic deserves to happen to anyone obviously, but I think it forces us out of this comfort zone. It forces us to grow.”