Flooding: Using the exposure fear hierarchy to begin exposure with the most difficult tasks.They begin with mildly or moderately difficult exposures, then progress to harder ones. Graded exposure: The psychologist helps the client construct an exposure fear hierarchy, in which feared objects, activities or situations are ranked according to difficulty.For example, someone with Panic Disorder might be instructed to run in place in order to make his or her heart speed up, and therefore learn that this sensation is not dangerous.Įxposure therapy can also be paced in different ways. Interoceptive exposure: Deliberately bringing on physical sensations that are harmless, yet feared.For example, someone with a fear of flying might take a virtual flight in the psychologist's office, using equipment that provides the sights, sounds and smells of an airplane. Virtual reality exposure: In some cases, virtual reality technology can be used when in vivo exposure is not practical.For example, someone with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder might be asked to recall and describe his or her traumatic experience in order to reduce feelings of fear. Imaginal exposure: Vividly imagining the feared object, situation or activity.For example, someone with a fear of snakes might be instructed to handle a snake, or someone with social anxiety might be instructed to give a speech in front of an audience. In vivo exposure: Directly facing a feared object, situation or activity in real life.Your psychologist can help you determine which strategy is best for you. There are several variations of exposure therapy. The exposure to the feared objects, activities or situations in a safe environment helps reduce fear and decrease avoidance.Įxposure therapy has been scientifically demonstrated to be a helpful treatment or treatment component for a range of problems, including: In this form of therapy, psychologists create a safe environment in which to “expose” individuals to the things they fear and avoid. In such situations, a psychologist might recommend a program of exposure therapy in order to help break the pattern of avoidance and fear. Although this avoidance might help reduce feelings of fear in the short term, over the long term it can make the fear become even worse. When people are fearful of something, they tend to avoid the feared objects, activities or situations. Exposure therapy is a psychological treatment that was developed to help people confront their fears.
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