58th Annual PCA Conference

Name: Prolonged Exposure Therapy as Treatment for PTSD in Male First Responders
Start: 2026-11-06T17:30:00-0500
End: 2026-11-06T18:00:00-0500

Prolonged Exposure Therapy as Treatment for PTSD in Male First Responders

Friday November 6, 2026 5:30pm - 6:00pm EST

First responders are continuously exposed to traumatic events throughout their careers due to the situations they are put in and events they encounter. Continuous exposure to these high-risk, potentially life-threatening events, means this population is at an increased risk for developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Male first responders may face heightened barriers to seeking treatment due to the stigma around mental health, workplace expectations, concern about future career consequences, and cultural expectations. This workshop will examine how exposure, especially repeated exposure, to traumatic events during a career can lead to PTSD in the population being looked at. It will also give an overview of what Prolonged Exposure Therapy is, which is a treatment designed to reduce symptoms of PTSD, confront traumatic events, and decrease avoidant behaviors. The workshop will also show how Prolonged Exposure Therapy can be adapted to work with the unique challenges and barriers that male first responders face when it comes to treatment of PTSD or other mental health disorders. Attendees of this workshop should gain a better understanding of what PTSD symptoms look like in male first responders, barriers to treatment that this population faces, and the essential components of Prolonged Exposure Therapy with adaptations to better suit the intended population. First responders are continuously exposed to traumatic events throughout their careers due to the situations they are put in and events they encounter. Continuous exposure to these high-risk, potentially life-threatening events, means this population is at an increased risk for developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Male first responders may face heightened barriers to seeking treatment due to the stigma around mental health, workplace expectations, concern about future career consequences, and cultural expectations. This workshop will examine how exposure, especially repeated exposure, to traumatic events during a career can lead to PTSD in the population being looked at. It will also give an overview of what Prolonged Exposure Therapy is, which is a treatment designed to reduce symptoms of PTSD, confront traumatic events, and decrease avoidant behaviors. The workshop will also show how Prolonged Exposure Therapy can be adapted to work with the unique challenges and barriers that male first responders face when it comes to treatment of PTSD or other mental health disorders. Attendees of this workshop should gain a better understanding of what PTSD symptoms look like in male first responders, barriers to treatment that this population faces, and the essential components of Prolonged Exposure Therapy with adaptations to better suit the intended population.

Speakers

Sally Musselman

Ms. Sally Musselman is a master’s student in Penn State Harrisburg’s Applied Clinical Psychology program. Ms. Musselman obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Human Development/Family Studies from Iowa State University. Ms. Musselman’s areas of interest for research... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 5:30pm - 6:00pm EST

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58th Annual PCA Conference

Sally Musselman

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58th Annual PCA Conference

Sally Musselman

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