Background: Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy is first line treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with imaginal exposure being a core component of the intervention. Despite its effectiveness, many therapists and patients encounter challenges in optimizing the impact of imaginal exposure, particularly in ensuring thorough engagement and emotional processing.

Objective: This masterclass aims to deepen participants' understanding of imaginal exposure, offering practical strategies to enhance its effectiveness within PE therapy. Participants will gain insights into overcoming common challenges, increasing patient engagement, and promoting deeper emotional processing during sessions.

Method: Drawing on over 20 years of clinical experience as a certified PE trainer, this masterclass will include a combination of lecture, theoretical discussion, case studies, and demonstrations. Participants will engage in some interactive exercises designed to refine their skills in conducting imaginal exposure, with a focus on techniques to elicit vivid trauma narratives, address patient avoidance, and fine-tune the therapeutic process for optimal outcomes.

Intended Outcomes: By the end of the masterclass, participants will have an enriched toolkit for conducting imaginal exposure, leading to improved patient outcomes. Attendees will leave with practical, actionable strategies to implement in their own clinical practice, and reducing avoidance.