Exposure

Exposure (also called confrontation) is a behavioral therapeutic intervention that is considered the gold standard in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly agoraphobia. This involves deliberately and repeatedly exposing oneself to anxiety-inducing situations and places. The goal is to face the anxiety without safety behaviors or distractions and, through habituation (habituation), learn that the anxiety fades on its own. This allows for the corrective experience: "I have nothing to fear." The anxiety is essentially "unlearned."

Synonyms you may have heard of: in vivo confrontation therapy, in vivo exposure therapy, confrontation method, confrontation exercise, exposure method, exposure exercise.

Exposure

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