Written Exposure Therapy (WET) for PTSD Online
Not everyone has the time or energy for three months of weekly trauma therapy. Written Exposure Therapy (WET) is a brief, structured treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that usually takes just five sessions, with no homework, and research shows it can work about as well as longer treatments for many people. Some of our trauma-trained clinicians offer WET online by secure video; ask when you book, and we’ll match you.
What Is Written Exposure Therapy?
WET was developed by psychologists Denise Sloan and Brian Marx at the National Center for PTSD. It’s a form of exposure therapy: you write about your trauma in a guided way, so the memory becomes less overwhelming and less intrusive.
What makes WET different:
- Just five sessions, typically once a week
- No homework between sessions
- Writing instead of speaking. You don’t describe the trauma out loud.
- Low dropout. Fewer people stopped WET early than some longer treatments.
How WET Works, Session by Session
Session 1 (about 60 minutes). Your clinician explains how PTSD works and why avoidance keeps symptoms going. You then write about your trauma for about 30 minutes, following specific instructions, and check in afterward.
Sessions 2–5 (about 40 minutes each). A brief check-in, then 30 minutes of writing. The instructions shift from what happened, including thoughts, feelings, and sensations, toward what the event means to you now.
You write about the same trauma each time, and your clinician doesn’t ask you to read it aloud.
Why Writing Helps
Avoiding a traumatic memory keeps it raw and fragmented, so it surfaces as flashbacks or nightmares. Structured writing lets you approach the memory long enough for fear to fade, organizes it into a coherent story, and creates space to reflect on what it means now, loosening beliefs like “It was my fault.” Because you control the pen, writing often feels more manageable than talking.
Preparing for WET
Your clinician will first complete an assessment to confirm PTSD and that WET fits. For online sessions, plan a private space for about an hour, paper and pen or a device for typing, and something calming afterward, like a walk.
What Does the Research Say?
WET is supported by randomized controlled trials. A major trial with veterans found five sessions of WET reduced PTSD symptoms about as well as 12 sessions of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), with fewer dropouts. Other studies found similar benefits in civilians, including survivors of motor vehicle accidents and sexual assault. WET is offered in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care.
Who Is WET a Good Fit For?
WET may be a strong choice if you:
- Want a short treatment with a clear end point
- Don’t have time for daily homework
- Find it easier to write than to talk about what happened
- Tried another treatment but had trouble keeping up with practice
- Have PTSD related to a single event or a few events
WET may be less suitable, or need added support, if you’re currently unsafe, have very limited reading or writing ability, or have complex trauma that calls for skill-building first.
WET Compared with Other PTSD Treatments
| Written Exposure Therapy | Cognitive Processing Therapy | Prolonged Exposure | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sessions | About 5 | About 12 | About 8–15 |
| Homework | None | Daily worksheets | Daily practice |
| Main method | Structured writing | Changing stuck beliefs | Talking through memories and facing avoided situations |
All are effective. See our guide to choosing a trauma therapy, or learn about Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Can WET Be Done Online?
Yes. Your clinician gives instructions by video, you write privately on paper or your device, and then you check in together. Research and VA experience support video delivery. Learn how our teletherapy works.
What to Expect Emotionally
Writing about trauma can bring up strong feelings, especially early on; that’s expected. Many people notice distress decreasing from one session to the next, and your clinician will help you leave each session feeling settled.
Who We Help
Our clinicians use trauma-focused treatments, including WET with some clinicians, for adults affected by many kinds of trauma, among others:
- Car accidents and other sudden events
- Assault, including sexual assault
- Line-of-duty trauma for first responders and healthcare workers
- Military trauma
- Disasters and medical emergencies
Read more about our trauma and PTSD therapy.
Insurance Coverage
We’re in-network with:
- Aetna. See our Aetna page.
- Optum and UnitedHealthcare, in the states listed on our Optum and UnitedHealthcare page.
- Oscar, through the UnitedHealthcare network
- Anthem, accepted depending on the clinician and state
- Blue Cross Blue Shield, Ambetter (in Washington only), and others
We do not accept Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans.
Psychological Healing has 40 clinicians, offering in-person sessions in 20 states and video sessions in 44 states.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sessions is Written Exposure Therapy? WET usually takes five sessions: one about 60 minutes long and four about 40 minutes long.
Is Written Exposure Therapy effective? Yes. Randomized trials show WET reduces PTSD symptoms about as well as longer treatments such as Cognitive Processing Therapy for many people, with lower dropout.
Do all of your clinicians offer WET? No. Ask when you book, and we’ll match you with a clinician who provides it or help you choose another effective treatment.
Is Written Exposure Therapy covered by insurance? Usually, yes, as outpatient psychotherapy. We’re in-network with Aetna, Optum/UnitedHealthcare, and others.
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.
Clinically reviewed by Karan Singh, Ph.D.
Last reviewed October 16, 2026