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Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library Exposure Therapy

Exposure Therapy

Treatment Overview

Exposure therapy is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy. It reduces the physical or emotional distress you feel when confronted with a particular object, situation, or distressing thought or memory. During this type of counseling, you may relive a traumatic experience, confront a feared object or situation, or deal with a distressing thought. But you do it while in a controlled environment.

During this type of therapy, a counselor helps you while you remember or use your mind to see the feared object or distressing thought. The counselor also helps you work through the physical and emotional distress that you may feel during this experience. You confront and learn to cope with the distressing feelings gradually. And this reduces your symptoms.

Activities during exposure therapy vary, depending on the fear, distressing thought, or traumatic experience. Hypnosis and virtual reality are sometimes used. Often during this type of therapy, you are encouraged to:

  • Talk about your fears, thoughts, or feelings of distress.
  • Learn ways to face the fear, handle the thoughts, or deal with the physical and emotional distress.
  • View your fear, distressing thought, or physical and emotional feelings of distress in a different way.

You are also taught how to use various relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises. They help you deal with emotional and physical distress and fear. Using these techniques helps you keep a sense of control when you are confronted with the feared object, situation, or distressing thought or memory.

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com.

© 2024 Ignite Healthwise, LLC. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

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