When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail: The limitations of viewing all PTSD treatments through the exposure lens commentary on Rubinstein et al. (2026).

This commentary on Rubinstein et al. (2026) appreciates the authors' efforts in proposing a comprehensive, overarching framework for understanding and evaluating PTSD psychotherapies based on their conceptualization as exposure-based treatments. We nonetheless challenge the authors' narrow focus on exposure as the lone key element of recovery from PTSD and address limitations in their description of non-exposure therapies, particularly concerning their theorized mechanism of action. Finally, we offer an alternative viewpoint in understanding and appreciating treatments for PTSD and suggest a different pathway that may be of more benefit.