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One of our approaches
Written Exposure Therapy (WET)
WET stands for Written Exposure Therapy. It’s a brief, structured approach, typically around five sessions depending on the person, where you write about a traumatic event for about 30 minutes per session.
Some things are easier to write than to say. That’s the whole idea.
How it works
The idea behind it
Like other exposure-based approaches, WET is based on a simple idea: directly engaging with a difficult memory, rather than pushing it away, helps your brain process it. Over time, this reduces how overwhelming the memory feels. What sets WET apart is the format. The processing happens through structured writing, not by telling the story out loud. That’s what lets it work in far fewer sessions than approaches like Prolonged Exposure (PE).
In session
What a session looks like
WET usually runs for about five sessions, weekly, though the exact number depends on you and how the work is going. In the first session, your clinician explains the approach and helps you choose which event to write about. Then you spend about 30 minutes writing, in as much detail as you’re able, including your thoughts and feelings at the time.
Each following session starts with a brief check-in, then another 30-minute writing period. You’ll often return to the same event, going a little deeper each time as it starts to feel less overwhelming. Your clinician reads what you’ve written afterward to make sure it’s on track, and may offer a short prompt for what to focus on next time.
The last few minutes of each session are set aside to help you settle before you leave. There’s no discussion of the writing’s content in the moment. The processing happens on the page, not out loud.
Frequently asked questions
Is this covered by insurance?
The approach doesn’t change the coverage. Most extended health plans cover sessions with a Registered Counselling Therapist or Registered Social Worker. Call the number on your benefits card and ask. We bill most major insurers directly, so you only pay what your plan doesn’t cover; otherwise you get a receipt after every session.
How many sessions will it take?
It depends on you and what you’re working on. By session two you’ll have a written plan, and every few sessions we check in with the same short questions so you can see what’s changing. You can stop at any time.
Does it work online?
Yes. We offer every approach in person in Dartmouth and by secure video anywhere in Nova Scotia. If one of them works better in person, we’ll tell you.
Does it cost more?
No. Whichever approach we use, it’s included in your standard session fee. See fees and insurance.
Ready when you are.
You don’t need to choose an approach before you book. That’s our job, together with you, in the first two sessions.