Exposure Therapy
What is Exposure Therapy?
Exposure therapy is a behavioral treatment approach that involves coming into contact with the things that make us anxious, in a controlled and safe way. When we are afraid of or worried about something, our tendency is to avoid that issue. While in the short term, avoidance makes us comfortable because we do not have to face the thing that makes us fearful. However, in turn, the fear that results from it only reinforces our fear. This makes it more difficult to face. By exposing ourselves to the situations that produce anxiety, over time we can decrease our fear. This allows us to become better able to endure anxiety-provoking situations with more comfort.
Who is Exposure Therapy Helpful For?
Exposure therapy has been shown to be helpful for a number of concerns, including social anxiety, phobias, panic disorder, OCD, generalized anxiety disorder, trauma, and PTSD.
How does Exposure Therapy Work?
Exposure therapy in Madison, WI can look a number of ways depending on the person and what their concern is. Typically, it begins with an assessment, education, and the creation of a hierarchy. A hierarchy is created in collaboration with the therapist and involves identifying the fears. We then begin rating them from 0-10 or 0-100 depending on how much fear they induce. Most often, one moves at a pace that is comfortable for them up the hierarchy toward the most feared situation. Through exposure therapy for anxiety and other phobias, one learns that the things they feared about the situation are not likely to occur.
Exposure therapy also works through habits, in which one’s anxiety levels naturally go down the more they are in contact with what they are afraid of. Exposure therapy can be in vivo (directly facing the feared situation or thing), imaginal (thinking about being in contact with the feared object or situation, especially when direct exposure is impossible or unsafe), virtual (such as through flight simulators), or interoceptive (creating physical symptoms that mimic panic or anxiety, such as by spinning in a chair to bring about dizziness).
An Example: Dog Phobia
Let’s imagine somebody who has a phobia of dogs, either because they were bit as a child, because of cultural reasons or any other reason. This person likely avoids dogs because they are afraid that something bad might happen, such as getting bit. This avoidance is reinforced because when they avoid dogs, they do not have to experience the fear that comes with it. When this person comes into therapy, they will make a hierarchy with their therapist. This may look something like this:
10- Look at picture of a dog
20- Watch a video of a dog
30- Sit in a car outside of an animal shelter
40- Be 20 feet from a small, leashed dog
60- Stand outside of the dog park
70- Go to the animal shelter and sit in a room with a dog
90- Go inside the dog park and walk up to a group of play-fighting dogs
This person will start at the lower end of their hierarchy, and as they gain comfort and confidence in facing situations at the lower end, they begin to build up toward the highest point. Over time, this person will habituate to their fear, increase their confidence related to being around dogs, weaken their association between dogs and what they fear happening. The goal is to learn new beliefs about what being around dogs is like. They may even begin to enjoy dogs! Overall, exposure therapy in Madison, WI is a highly effective, highly personalized form of treatment for a number of different concerns.
Begin Exposure Therapy in Madison, WI Today!
We know that overcoming your fears and phobias isn't easy. In fact, we know this process can be uncomfortable. However, our therapists are here to walk through this time with you. Our therapists all have different viewpoints, but that's why we are able to provide such diverse and effective services. Our process to get started is simple. We strive to help you get on your way to feeling like yourself again. Our Madison, WI-based therapists offer therapy in-person and anywhere in the state via online therapy in Wisconsin. To get started, just follow these simple steps:
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Call our office at 608-571-0558 or e-mail us to make an appointment
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Talk with our Client Care Coordinator to find the best therapist for you
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Start moving past your fears and begin living again!
Other Mental Health Services at Golden Vibes Counseling Center
Exposure therapy isn't the only service we offer at our Madison, WI counseling practice. We offer a wide range of services. Our skilled therapists can help you using a variety of approaches including CBT, EMDR, and Brainspotting. These methods can help with sexual assault recovery, depression treatment, anxiety therapy, OCD treatment, therapy for children, PTSD treatment and trauma therapy, college students, ACT Therapy, ART therapy, reproductive or maternal mental health, multicultural counseling, and more. We also specialize in LGBTQAI+ counseling and poly-affirming therapies and can assist with gender-affirming care. Start therapy today and begin working through the things that have held you back. Start getting back to you today!